Evaluation of a Training Intervention to Improve Novice Drivers’ Hazard Mitigation Behavior on Curves

Newly licensed teenage drivers experience a higher risk of crashing compared to other age cohorts. Literature reveals that novice drivers exhibit poor hazard mitigation skills. The current study assesses the effectiveness of a training program at improving novice divers’ hazard mitigation and speed selection behaviors on curves. In this study, drivers are randomly assigned to two training cohorts (ACT and placebo), and were exposed to 2 different scenarios of interest, one scenario contained a moderate curve left and the other included a tightening curve right. ACT trained drivers made more glances to the far extent of the curve, than the placebo-trained drivers. ACT (Anticipate, Control, and Terminate) trained drivers were also significantly more likely to slow to the target speed before the curve, when compared to the placebo trained drivers. The results indicate the effectiveness of ACT as a countermeasure, at training novice drivers to select better glancing and speed management strategies.