Use of video technology and GPS as a tool for driver education – a preliminary investigation with older drivers
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Date
2004
Authors
Porter, Michelle M.
Melnyk, Micah G.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Canadian Multidisciplinary Road Safety Conference
Abstract
Driver education programs have traditionally taken two general forms: in-classroom or in-vehicle. This study explores a variation on traditional in-vehicle driver education programs by using video technology instead of a driver educator in the passenger seat. A program of this type would be appropriate for currently licensed drivers.
Advantages of using video technology include: the possibility of driver behaviour more like their everyday driving, increased safety for the driver educator, and more effective instruction. In this study, 8 subjects aged 70 and older drove a 26 km road course in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
while their driving was recorded. The course
included all road types including residential, collector, arterial and expressway. Subjects were shown the video and global positioning system (GPS) speed data some time after performing the
drive. Subjects watched the video first without feedback, and then with feedback and instruction from a driver educator. Common feedback from the driver educator included instruction on changing lanes, signaling, and stopping at stop signs. Subjects were given three questionnaires at various
stages to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of the program. Subjects all agreed that the program was useful to them and all but one self reported using
the lessons from the driver educator in their
everyday driving 2 to 4 weeks after the video
session. The subjects found watching the video with the driver educator feedback more useful than watching the video without feedback. Using in-vehicle video technology is a new opportunity for driver education programs and is an alternative to in-classroom programs for those looking to update their driving skills.
Description
Keywords
Driving, Aging