Improving traffic safety of novice drivers by feedback on driving behavior

Novice car drivers are a group of very high risk for severe accidents. They also are a group, whose risks seem to be very difficult to reduce. This paper describes a unique field trial on a feedback system that has a potential of great safety benefits for novice drivers. With a GPS installed in the novice drivers’ car, we periodically produced feedback that motivated the novice in safe driving and helped them comparing their driving with others. There are clear indications, that a well prepared feedback helps the novice drivers in paying attention to the shortcomings of the inexperienced drivers. And the feedback seems to affect the driving style, especially if there is also some external person receiving the feedback. The test users of the feedback, novice drivers and their parents have been interested in the feedback and see it as a potential measure in enhancing learning and improving traffic safety