Reducing risky driving: Assessing the impacts of an automatically-assigned, targeted web-based instruction program

Area of Science:

• Transportation safety
• Driver behavior analysis
• Human factors in driving

Background:

• Driver behavior is the leading cause of traffic crashes.
• Existing safety research highlights the need for effective interventions to modify driver actions.
• Web-based instruction (WBI) offers a scalable platform for targeted driver training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of an automatically-assigned, targeted WBI program in reducing risky driving behaviors.
• To determine if the WBI program impacts drivers who receive training and those who do not.
• To identify which aspects of the WBI program are most effective in behavior modification.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental, within-subjects, multiple-baseline stepwise ABC design was employed.
• Phase I: Baseline data collection.
• Phase II: Driver awareness of the program.
• Phase III: Implementation of the WBI program.

Main Results:

• A significant reduction in risky driving behaviors was observed across all drivers following WBI implementation.
• Excessive speeding decreased by 73.93% from baseline.
• Drivers who received WBI showed significant reductions in speeding, hard braking, and hard cornering; the first assigned course was most impactful.

Conclusions:

• The automatically-assigned, targeted WBI program effectively reduced risky driving behaviors for all drivers.
• Hypothesized mechanisms include implicit feedback, goal setting, and increased driver accountability.
• Fleet implementation can lead to fewer crashes, reduced insurance claims, lower premiums, and improved safety outcomes, potentially saving lives.