Promoting transportation safety in adolescence: the drivingly randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Safety
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Young drivers (16-17 years) represent 14% of the US population but cause 30% of motor vehicle crash injuries.
• Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) incur substantial medical and productivity costs, estimated at $25 billion annually.
• Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs are effective but lack family-centered interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the Drivingly Program intervention reduces police-reported MVCs in the first 12 months of licensure among teen drivers.
• To assess the efficacy of a comprehensive parent-teen intervention complementing existing Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 16-17.33 year-old novice drivers with learner's permits in Pennsylvania.
• Participants were randomized to the Drivingly program (online curriculum, parent coaching, on-road feedback) or usual practice.
• Primary outcome: police-reported MVCs within 12 months of licensure, using data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Main Results:

• Data collection is ongoing; results are pending.
• The study aims to provide pragmatic and sustainable solutions for adolescent MVC prevention.
• This research addresses methodological limitations in previous teen driver safety program evaluations.

Conclusions:

• The Drivingly Program targets multiple risk and protective factors for teen drivers.
• This intervention is designed to be delivered during the learner and early independent licensing phases.
• Findings will inform evidence-based strategies for reducing MVCs in young drivers.