GMU’s CAPH has conducted numerous studies on focused traffic safety issues, based on specific needs identified by the research sponsor. Typically prepared for the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the research methodology was designed and conducted independently by GMU’s CAPH faculty and staff. The focus for these studies includes a national as well as statewide focus. Results obtained from these studies are used by state policymakers and traffic safety officials. These research reports are included in their entirety on this site, with related resources identified.

MATURE DRIVERS: STUDY AND STRATEGIC PLAN and EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Issues surrounding mature drivers appear to receive increasing attention in the public and research settings. With the significant growth in the number of older drivers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has undertaken a strategic planning process regarding mature drivers. This report builds upon a detailed research study (Study of Driver’s License Options for Applicants Age 70 or Older, George Mason University, 1999) that identified issues and recommendations.

The development of a strategic plan for Virginia represents the forging of new directions; no substantive approaches to this challenging issue currently exist in other states in a publicly-available format. Further, the information gathered in the process of preparing this document demonstrates the complexity of the issue of addressing mature drivers. Specific information is provided within a framework that elucidates the issues from both broad and specific perspectives.

The current process, undertaken to provide a sound research and theoretical foundation, included an extensive review of recent published findings, a review of approaches and resources at state and national levels, and selected key informant discussions. All data is based on national level studies. (Read the full STUDY AND STRATEGIC PLAN and the EXECUTIVE SUMMARY)

YOUNG DRIVER: A STUDY OF POLICIES AND PRACTICES (Report of Findings)

Attention to preparing young drivers has been within the purview of many departments of motor vehicles, safety administrators, school personnel, and parents for many years. A wide range of education, preparation, training, licensing, and monitoring activities have been designed to promote safety among these new drivers.

Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in an effort to identify ways of continuing to improve the state's efforts with this population, asked George Mason University's Center for the Advancement of Public Health (GMU) to prepare a detailed study and analysis, complete with recommendations, for consideration by DMV. The ultimate purpose of this study was to examine current approaches designed to best prepare and oversee young drivers in Virginia, to glean what seems to be working and where adjustments and improvements appear to be warranted for consideration.

The rationale for engaging in a project such as this was primarily the differential involvement of young drivers in automobile crashes. As evidenced by the data both from a national and state perspective, young drivers are disproportionately over-represented in these crashes. Thus, Virginia's Department of Motor Vehicles sought to identify ways that it could improve its existing services as well as to determine what could be implemented to better deal with young drivers. (Read the full study)

DISTRACTED DRIVING: Review of Current Needs, Efforts and Recommended Strategies (View Report)

The multi-phase initiative was designed and implemented to address areas in which current approaches might be enhanced. The ultimate purpose of this review was to examine current data, practices, standards, attitudes, and related issues in Virginia as well as nationwide regarding distracted driving. A primary focus was upon the use of cellular telephones while driving; however, this was done in the context of other issues associated with distracted driving, including the presence of other passengers (particularly among young drivers), eating, drinking, smoking, reading, writing, use of car computer devices and GPS systems, map reading, and related factors. The ultimate focus of this study was to identify specific strategies and sound recommendations for highway safety in Virginia. (View the presentation 385Kb PPT)

HOW SAFE ARE OUR ROADS? A Data Report on the Impact of Drunk and Drugged Driving on Highway Safety in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Region (View Report 350Kb PDF)

Traffic safety – in all its dimensions – is a national concern, spanning all jurisdictions, regions, and states. Motor vehicle travel is the principal means of transportation in the United States, yet deaths and injuries resulting from traffic crashes are a leading cause of death among Americans and more than 90% of transportation-related fatalities are traffic fatalities.

This report was prepared for Washington Regional Alcohol Program in November of 2002 to analyze the trend of alcohol- and drug- related fatalities and crashes in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region.