OVERVIEW OF NHTSA RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN DRIVER EDUCATION AND LICENSING

This paper discusses the efforts being made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reduce the accidents and injuries of highway users through improved driver education and licensing. The NHTSA program in driver preparation consists of a safe performance curriculum for secondary schools, traffic safety education program, advanced driver education, motorcycle safety education, commercial truck and bus operator training, and driver education for special groups(e.g., handicapped, aged). NHTSA's approach to improving the effectiveness of driver licensing is based on the development of safety-related driver performance standards. The factors being investigated are (a) an analysis of critical driving tasks according to vehicle types,(b) accident investigation data including vehicle and highway factors, and(c) driver characteristics. The intent is to develop measuring instruments (e.g., driver vision tests, background questionnaires) to determine the degree of licensing privilege an individual should be granted. Four grades of licensing requirements (by vehicle type) are currently anticipated: (1) initial applicant testing and weakness identification with emphasis on determining the requirement for issuing a probationary license; (2) renewal applicant testing and weakness identification; (3) aged driver testing with emphasis on identifying medical, senescence, and physical limitations and assigning appropriate restrictions or rehabilitation requirements to each limitation; and (4) diagnostic testing of problem drivers (negligent operators).

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/sr/sr151/sr151-006.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0360859X
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

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  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Eberhard, John W
• Discussers:
  • Vanosdall, Frederick E
• Publication Date: 1974

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 22-30
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Board Special Report
  • Issue Number: 151
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0360-859X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aged drivers; Crash investigation; Diagnosis; Diagnostic tests; Driver licensing; Driver performance; Driver training; Drivers; Highway safety; Human characteristics; Personnel performance; Prevention; Problem drivers; Safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver characteristics; Driver license renewal
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00095903
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-016 656
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jul 2 1975 12:00AM