Teen drivers start out shaky, but they get better over time, right? Not necessarily, finds a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Lead author Charlie Klauer, a professor at Virginia Tech, reports that when adolescents begin driving they are typically very cautious and careful. As they get more comfortable with driving, however, they also get more comfortable with multitasking—raising their risk of a crash. From the Virginia Tech website: “Klauer and her research team found that likely dangerous distractions for new drivers—versus experienced motorists—include handling of a cell phone to dial or text, reaching away from the steering wheel, looking at something alongside the road, and eating. All these acts were statistically significant as a distraction for the new drivers.” The Virginia Tech website notes that Klauer and her team monitored the driving of more and less experienced drivers whose cars were equipped with multiple cameras and a suite of sensors which collected continuous video and driving performance data. The report continues: “The data revealed that compared to experienced drivers, novice drivers engaged in secondary tasks less frequently during the first six months. However, they matched experienced drivers between months seven and 15, and were engaged in non-driving tasks more often than experienced drivers during months 16 through 18—a two-fold increase in risky distractions during the last three months of the study.” Klauer’s findings suggest that teenagers—and their parents—shouldn’t become too complacent as the young drivers become more comfortable behind the wheel. That very comfort level may lead them to take new kinds of risks by dividing their attention. Brilliant readers, what do you think? Have you found a way to communicate the dangers of multitasking while driving? anniemurphypaul/2014/02/why-teen-drivers-may-get-worse-over-time/
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:22:25 +0000
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