Driver Training: What Does Research Say About Its Effectiveness
for Experienced Drivers?
Presentation
Date: Thursday, November 9 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time
Studies evaluating the effectiveness of driver training have found little sound evidence that advanced or defensive driving courses reduce the crash involvement of experienced drivers who attend them. Conventional driver training tends to focus on skills and knowledge relevant to crash avoidance or dealing with driving emergencies. Since these are not daily events, drivers tend to forget the behaviors that they do not routinely use. Although, driver training may be more effective in fleet settings than for drivers in general, some research suggests that other measures such as group discussion on safety issues and incentive programs may be more effective in crash reduction. What are valuable components in a driver training program, how can they be improved, and what to look for?
Both speakers will be available following the e-seminar presentation to respond to questions from participants.
Moderator & Presenter:
Dave Melton is the Director of Transportation Technical Consulting Services at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety. He is responsible at the corporate level for developing and supporting transportation-related safety and health products and consulting services. Dave has held numerous positions in both field and executive management and senior technical roles. His 38-year career with Liberty Mutual has moved him frequently throughout the United States and Canada.
Mr. Melton represents Liberty Mutual on the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) Board of Directors where he is serving a two-year term as the Board Chairman.
He is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI). He was Chairman of the Board of the Texas Safety Association. Dave has received an appointment to the permanent Committee on Truck and Bus Safety (A3B57) of the Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences & Engineering. Mr. Melton was a member of the ANSI Z-15 Accredited Standards Committee on Safety Requirements for Motor Vehicle Fleet Operations.
Mr. Melton holds an A.B. degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) and a Certified Director of Safety (CDS).
Featured Presenter:
Dr. Richard P. Compton is Director of the Office of Safaety Research at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation. During his 28-year tenure with NHTSA, he has directed and authored numerous research studies in the areas of alcohol- and drug-impaired driving, occupant protection, and speeding and other unsafe driving actions. He has conducted evaluations of national, State, and local traffic safety programs to determine their effectiveness. Dr. Compton received his Ph.D. in experimental psychology from the University of Nebraska in 1977 and has taught courses at the university level. He is a member of the Committee on Alcohol, Other Drugs and Transportation and the Committee on Operator Education and Regulation of the National Research Council's Transportation Research Board. He is also a member of the National Safety Council's Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs. |
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Safely Work Week 2005