Pilot Study of a Remedial Program for First-Time Distracted Driving Offenders
Author(s): Robertson, Bowman
Slidedeck Presentation:
Abstract:
Background:
According to results from TIRF’s Road Safety Monitor 2018: Distracted Driving Attitudes and Practices, 2004-2018, the percentage of Canadians who report talking on a hands-free phone while driving increased significantly over the past 8 years, from 21.7% in 2010 to 36.5% in 2018. Perhaps most concerning, was the 56% increase in the percentage of Canadians who reported texting while driving, rising to a high of 7.5% in 2018 compared to 4.8% in 2010. Furthermore, according to TIRF’s National Fatality Database, the percentage of all fatalities where distraction was a contributing factor has increased from 16.3% in 2000 to 23.5% in 2016.
Increasing fines, demerits & other sanctions across Canada does not appear to be reducing distracted driving to a degree that would reflect an understanding of the risks associated with this behaviour, with some jurisdictions reporting that distracted driving fatalities are exceeding alcohol-impaired driving fatalities.
There are currently no remedial programs for distracted driving and research shows that remedial programs related to other high-risk driving behaviours, such as drug and alcohol impairment which can lead to additional education and ignition interlock as an intervention, have proven an effective tool to reduce recidivism. TIRF developed a remedial program for first-time distracted driving offenders to address this need. It is adapted from the Drop It and Drive® (DIAD) educational program and customized to an audience of offenders using the Theory of Planned Behaviour.
Aims:
The main objective was to implement and evaluate the DIAD education seminar for first-time distracted drivers to increase their knowledge about the risks of distracted driving through participation in a remedial driver education program on distracted driving.
Methods:
Following the success of the first pilot in 2017 (N= 31), a second pilot took place in November 2018 (N= 38) to increase the dataset. Using the same methodology as the first pilot, each enforcement campaign took place in different locations and at different times of the day to target both drop off/pick up as well as regular commuters. Drivers who received a citation for distracted driving during this enforcement campaign were given the choice between paying a fine and accumulating the demerits or agreeing to participate in a 3-hour DIAD education seminar.
Results:
Despite the initial reluctance to acknowledge wrongdoing, the evaluations filled out by the offenders demonstrated an increase in understanding of the risks. Also, 100% of participants “think that the pilot program can help reduce distracted driving among distracted drivers.”
Discussion:
Preliminary results from the pilot program are promising. However, further research is needed to measure the effectiveness of this type of remedial program.
Conclusions:
First-time offenders reported increased knowledge about the risks of distracted driving after participation in the pilot program. Future research will focus on the effects of the program on long-term behaviour change and the impact of the program on community road safety.