The Potential for IVDR Feedback and Parental Guidance to Improve Novice Young Drivers’ Behavior

Young male drivers are well known for their increased involvement in road crashes when moving to the independent driving phase. This study examines the potential of IVDR (In-Vehicle Data Recorder) systems, which provide feedback on driving performances, and parental monitoring to restrain young male drivers’ aggressive driving behavior. The IVDR system was installed in the family car of young drivers for a period of 12 months, starting in the accompanied driving phase and continuing to the first nine months of independent driving. The system documents events based on measurements of extreme G-forces in the vehicles. 242 families of young male drivers participated in the study. They were randomly allocated into 4 groups: (1) FFNG- Family Feedback No Guidance- all members of the family were exposed to feedback on their own driving behavior and that of the other family members; (2) FFPG- Family Feedback Parental Guidance - similar to the previous group with the addition of personal guidance given to parents on ways to enhance their involvement and monitoring of their sons’ driving; (3) IFNG- Individual Feedback No Guidance- each driver received feedback only on his own driving behavior; (4) CNTL- a control group that received no feedback or parental guidance. The collected data from the IVDR was analyzed and the results indicate substantial benefits to drivers in the FFPG group in which parents received personal guidance to enhance their parental involvement and feedback on their son’s driving behavior, compared to the CNTL group which did not receive any feedback