smiling teen driver


PDF Version of the Parents' Guide

DID YOU KNOW …

…Yes, these numbers could represent the teen driver in your household. Your teen seems to have it all together though. They work hard in school, follow the rules and act responsibly. But, regardless of all those characteristics, he or she is substantially at risk as a new driver. And that is scary. The good news is that you can help your teen through this process. Driver-ZED will help you to do that.

Simply stated, motor vehicle crashes ARE the leading cause of death for teens. This is a reality because of two factors: driver inexperience and the maturity level of young drivers getting behind the wheel. Therefore, teens need help in becoming safe drivers. That involves practice, guidance and an understanding of your individual state's licensing laws. So, you have work to do.

Teens need to be taught that driving is a task that is both complex and demanding, even for the most experienced drivers. Driving involves controlling a motor vehicle from one point to another while complying with traffic laws and regulations. While driving, there is a constant interaction between the elements that make up the highway traffic system (HTS): The driver, vehicle, roadway users and the environment.

Often times, teens think that driving only involves the manipulation of the vehicle. However, the process is much more complex than that. The role of the driver in the HTS is one of processing information and making decisions. Competent drivers do not just operate and guide vehicles; they are involved in a complex and constant process of perceiving and deciding how best to control the speed and position of their vehicles in one traffic situation after another. Fortunately, most traffic situations encountered are routine and fairly easy to deal with. However, there are times when complex traffic problems arise which drivers must deal with in a very limited amount of time. It is the failure of drivers to respond properly to such problem situations that lead to most collisions. Therefore, the development of traffic problem solving skills is a basic requirement of safe driving.

You can play a significant role in developing safe driving skills with your teenager. With structured, guided instruction, parents and students working together can develop driving behaviors that will reduce motor vehicle crashes among new drivers. Therefore, the purpose of this guide is to provide the information necessary to assist in the learning process.

THE PERCEPTUAL TRAINING PROGRAM

The goal of a Perceptual Driving Program is to allow the user to learn effective and efficient perceptual skills along with how to make proper responses to problem traffic situations once they are identified and evaluated. Simply stated, the program is in place to teach drivers to how to look, what to look for and how to respond to conflict situations when they are behind the wheel.

In addition to the Driver-ZED program, it is encouraged that your new driver be introduced to the Perceptual Driving Program that accompanies Driver-ZED in the classroom. If your teen cannot participate in this program in the classroom, the teaching guide provided with this program can allow for you and your teen to be guided through the program. Participating in this program prior to using the Driver-ZED CD will allow the new driver to acquire the skills necessary to perform better with the Driver-ZED program because the new driver will better understand all of the tips and driving instructions being presented. They will also be better prepared to transfer and practice the skills during behind the wheel practice.

The program contains the following seven sessions:

1. Improving perceptual skills

2. Identifying traffic controls

3. Identifying highway conditions

4. Identifying other user actions

5. Identifying all HTS events

6. Identifying and evaluating conflict probabilities

7. Responding to problem situations

USE OF THE DRIVER-ZED PROGRAM

Using the Driver-ZED program puts the user into 100 live-action situations that require the user to think, decide and choose the best course of action for the situation at hand. The user will face everything from a child chasing a ball into the street, sharing the road with other highway users and driving situations on multi-lane highways. They'll learn how to see danger by actually experiencing it on the computer instead of behind the wheel. They'll also have the opportunity to be exposed to FILL IN NUMBER driving tips that can help them along the way. Therefore, various driving skills along with decision making can be tested at home, prior to behind the wheel.

Driver-ZED offers four kinds of challenges:

SCAN: Presents a brief video and asks the driver what they've seen.

SPOT: Shows a longer clip, then stops the action and asks the driver to click on the driving risks.

ACT: Scenarios challenge the driver to spot the risks and choose the right actions. The driver will actually drive through the scene until it stops and asks them what to do.

DRIVE: Takes the driver to the most realistic level…just like being in the car. They'll drive down the road until approaching a traffic problem. They choose when to act and what to do.

All of the above mentioned challenges are designed in three environments that include, in the country, driving in town and on the highway. Therefore, the user can choose which environment to enter and which challenge they'd like to take in that environment.

Utilizing the program requires inserting the DVD and following the automatically loading, on-screen menu prompt to “Install Driver-ZED 3.0”. Alternatively, double-clicking the “My Computer” icon on your desktop and then double-clicking on the ZED3 entry in the drive listing will launch the installation menu.

Using the program is even easier and requires the user to listen up and follow the directions. There are five easy to spot icons that can be clicked on to provide specific information, along with various driving tips that can be accessed along the way. (Please see the DVD cover insert for additional information).

LEARN ABOUT YOUR STATE'S REQUIREMENTS

By now, you have probably heard the term Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) mentioned many times. GDL is a driver licensing system developed to teach teens to drive gradually, by increasing driving privileges as they progress through the system. GDL requirements vary from state to state. The information and descriptions listed in this manual may differ from your state's requirements. Therefore, it is key to contact your state's driver licensing department and obtain information about your state's requirements.

Generally, there are three stages or license levels that could be present in your state's licensing system. These levels are:

  1. Supervised Learners Permit : Supervision is required at all times, and other restrictions also apply. This period includes basic driver education and requires that no crashes or convictions occur before the learner advances. There are restrictions on carrying teenage passengers, there can be no violations for failing to wear a seat belt and there is zero alcohol tolerance.
  2. Intermediate or Provisional License : Fewer restrictions are imposed; for example, unsupervised driving is permitted during daylight hours. This period may include advanced driver education and continues to require zero alcohol tolerance and no at-fault crashes or convictions before advancing the driver to the final stage.
  3. Full license (or unrestricted license) : All driving restrictions are removed (except for applicable laws, such as zero alcohol tolerance for drivers under 21).

RECOMMENDED COMPONENTS OF GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSING SYSTEMS

All GDL systems contain certain core components in order to be effective. Listed below are the recommended components of each license level:

  1. Supervised Learners Permit: This stage allows the young novice driver the opportunity to practice basic driving skills and safe driving practices under totally supervised conditions.

    2. Minimum eligibility requirements:

    Core components:

    The Permit is visually distinctive from other driver licenses.

    Recommended components:

  1. Intermediate or Provisional License: This stage gives the young driver behind-the-wheel practice under less restrictive circumstances and exposes the driver to more demanding driving situations. It provides an opportunity for the new driver to use newly acquired driving and decision-making skills by allowing unsupervised driving during daylight hours.

    2. Minimum eligibility requirements:

    Core components:

    License is visually distinctive from other driver licenses.

    Recommended components:

  1. Full License or Unrestricted License: This stage allows unlimited driving privileges.

    Minimum eligibility requirements:

    • Successfully complete the intermediate license stage;

    • Meet the minimum age required by the state; and

    • Zero alcohol tolerance for those under age 21.

    Recommended components:

    • Downgrade to a provisional license for drivers whose licenses have been suspended or revoked, and require a crash-free/violation-free period of time prior to re-obtaining full license until age 21;

    • Pass second level knowledge test and on-road driving test; and

    • Successfully complete advanced driver education.

HOW DRIVER-ZED CAN HELP, THE BIG PICTURE

All the steps in the GDL process listed above may seem a little confusing, not only to you, but also to your teen. But, contacting your state's driver licensing department will allow you to get the basics on what your state requires of your new driver to aid you in helping your teen understand their role in the process. Also know that Driver-ZED can also be of great help in providing information on Graduated Driver Licensing and explaining it to your teen in an easy to understand way.

As mentioned before, a lot of teens think that driving is easy and only involves moving a vehicle around. Getting to the game, driving to a friend's house or heading out to a movie all seem like simple tasks that require going from one point to another. However, there are many situations that teens can run into along the way as beginning drivers that, if not exposed to in a safe, controlled environment, can lead to trouble. Driver-ZED allows the user to practice looking for and reacting to situations that can lead to trouble on the roadway.

If the Driver-ZED package is used, including the Perceptual Driving program, it can improve your teen's driving skills. This enhances their chance of getting their license. Most importantly, the package can help them to become a safer driver. But, it all doesn't end there, you need to stay actively involved with this process from start to finish, always encouraging safe decisions and continued practice.

GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL

Most parents are unsure of exactly what skills need addressed in driving practice sessions. Often, the idea of facilitating up to 60 hours of behind the wheel practice and instruction is overwhelming. Most parents are unsure of what skills need practiced, how to address them and how to present information to their new driver in an organized manner.

To aid you with this issue, we encourage you to visit the ADTSEA website at http://www.adtsea.iup.edu and click on the Parent Guide. You will find an easy to use guide, complete with instructions and checklists to guide you in behind the wheel lessons. Each skill that needs covered is broken down into easy to explain terms. Additionally, you will find checklists that will make it easier to keep track of your new driver's progress.

WORK ZONES

Driving through a work zone can be a very distracting and confusing experience. Often cones, barrels and signs seem to be placed all over at random, machines are backing and turning right beside you and many workers are walking, shoveling or working with equipment. But know that the cones, barrels and signs that seem to be scattered are set up in a manner that allows for that zone to be as safe for the workers and drivers entering it as possible. The key is, slowing to the posted speed limit in the zone and staying alert.

There will be many opportunities for the program user to experience work zones while using Driver-ZED. In the scenarios that address work zone hazards, the driver will encounter various work zone signs, workers flagging traffic or operating machinery, along with other drivers that may not be driving safely in the work zone.

YOUR ROLE

Remember…you hold the keys. You can and should set the rules. When the driving rules of the road or your household are broken, you have the option to tell your teen that their driving privileges are suspended or restricted. You can say no to allowing your teen to drive in situations you feel they are not ready for and you can say no if you do not think your teen is ready to take the next step in their driving experiences. Remember, your job is to teach safe driving habits and work to ensure your teen is a careful, prepared and protected as possible.

Sources:

American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA)

Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Teens Today™ research conducted by SADD and Liberty Mutual, 2002

Additional Resources and Sites of Interest:

AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

2008 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety | Email | Privacy | Home