Driving Feedback Technology for High-Risk Teen Drivers

(projectDRIVE Trial)

Overseen By Jingzhen (Ginger) Yang, PhD, MPH

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 3

Sponsor: Ginger Yang

Disqualifiers: Injury, License suspension, Car damage, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Pivotal Trial (Near Approval) This treatment is in the last trial phase before FDA approval

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

480 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a driving feedback technology designed to help teens drive more safely. Researchers aim to determine if this technology, with or without parent involvement, can reduce risky behaviors and traffic violations among teens who have recently committed a driving offense. Participants will either have the in-vehicle device installed with no feedback, receive driving feedback through an app, or receive feedback plus parent communication training. Teens suitable for this trial have been convicted of a moving traffic violation, are the primary driver of a car made after 1996, and have a smartphone with Bluetooth. As a Phase 3 trial, this study represents the final step before FDA approval, offering participants a chance to contribute to a potentially groundbreaking safety technology.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this in-vehicle driving feedback technology is safe for high-risk teen drivers?

Research has shown that using devices in cars to provide feedback to teen drivers is generally safe. The Teen Driver Support System (TDSS) offers real-time feedback, helping young drivers develop better habits without harm. Studies have found that these devices warn about speeding and other violations, with no reports of negative effects from their use.

Research also indicates that training parents to communicate better with their teen drivers is safe and beneficial. Studies show that parental involvement and training can lead to fewer risky driving events among teens. Specifically, teens whose parents received this training had fewer driving incidents compared to those who only received feedback.

Overall, both the in-car feedback device and parent communication training are well-tolerated and safe for teens, according to existing studies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to improve teen driving safety using innovative feedback technology. Unlike traditional driving safety programs that rely on one-time education or passive monitoring, this trial actively engages teens and their parents with real-time driving feedback and communication training. The "Feedback Only" group allows teens to self-monitor and receive regular driving reports, while the "Feedback and Parent Communication" group adds a unique twist by involving parents in the process. This group receives additional training to help motivate their teens towards safer driving habits, creating a collaborative approach to improving safety. By integrating technology and parental involvement, the trial could offer a more effective way to reduce high-risk driving behaviors among teens.

What evidence suggests that this in-vehicle device is effective for reducing risky driving behaviors in teens?

Research shows that technology providing feedback while driving can help reduce risky driving in teens. In this trial, the Feedback Only Group will use devices like the Teen Driver Support System (TDSS) to receive real-time feedback, helping new drivers improve their habits. Teens in this group receive alerts and guidance while driving, which leads to safer driving. Another group in this trial, the Feedback and Parent Communication Group, combines this technology with parent communication training. Studies suggest that when parents communicate with their teens about driving, it encourages safer driving practices. This extra communication, supported by training, further reduces risky driving and traffic violations. Overall, both the feedback technology and parent involvement have shown promise in making teen driving safer. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Jingzhen (Ginger) Yang, PhD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for teens aged 16-17 in Ohio who have been convicted of a moving violation, hold a valid intermediate license with car insurance, and are the primary driver of a vehicle made after 1996. They need to have a legal guardian, smartphone with Bluetooth, and drive regularly. Teens can't join if they're unable to drive, enrolled in another driving study or don't speak English at home.

Inclusion Criteria

Smartphone with Bluetooth capabilities

Convicted of a moving violation

I was 16 or 17 years old at the time of the incident.

Exclusion Criteria

War of the State

I cannot drive because of an injury, suspended license, or car damage.

Pregnant women

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Teens and parents are assigned to one of three groups: Control, Feedback Only, or Feedback and Parent Communication. The intervention includes in-vehicle devices, smartphone apps, and communication training.

6 months

Biweekly virtual check-ins

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for recidivism and engagement with the intervention. Recidivism is tracked for 12 months post-study.

12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• In-vehicle device
• Parent Communication

Trial Overview

The study tests an in-car feedback device that monitors driving habits. It's looking at whether this tech reduces risky driving when used alone or combined with training parents on how to communicate about safe driving practices.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Feedback and Parent Communication Group Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

The Feedback and Parent Communication Group will have the in-vehicle devices in the teen's car and download the smartphone app on the teen's smartphone. Researchers will provide instructions on how teens and parents can review their driving data. The parent will also receive communication training on how to motivate their teen to adopt safe driving habits via online modules and a video call with a motivational interviewing professional. A second booster session will also occur two months after the initial training. Both teens and parents will receive a biweekly cumulative driving report.

Group II: Feedback Only Group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The Feedback Only Group will have the in-vehicle devices in the teen's car and download the smartphone app on the teen's smartphone. Researchers will provide instructions on how teens can review their driving data. Teens will also receive biweekly cumulative driving reports.

Group III: Control Group Active Control 1 Intervention

The Control Group will have the in-vehicle device installed in the teen's car, but all feedback features will be disabled.

In-vehicle device is already approved in United States, European Union for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Teen Driver Technology for:

• Improving driving practices among high-risk teen drivers
• Reducing risky driving behaviors
• Preventing traffic violations

Approved in European Union as In-vehicle Performance Monitoring and Feedback for:

• Enhancing road safety
• Reducing accidents involving teen drivers

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ginger Yang

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3

Recruited

1,200+

University of Iowa

Collaborator

Trials

486

Recruited

934,000+

Ohio State University

Collaborator

Trials

891

Recruited

2,659,000+

University of Nebraska

Collaborator

Trials

563

Recruited

1,147,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 57 teens using a driving simulator, feedback based on peer social norms effectively reduced distraction engagement and improved driving performance among teen drivers.

The study found that there was no significant difference in effectiveness between same-gender and opposite-gender peer feedback, suggesting that any peer norm feedback can be beneficial without needing to tailor it by gender.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mitigating Teen Driver Distraction: In-Vehicle Feedback Based on Peer Social Norms. Donmez, B., Merrikhpour, M., Nooshabadi, MH.[2022]

Young drivers are particularly vulnerable to distractions from new technologies like cell phones and infotainment systems, which can impair their ability to control vehicles and anticipate hazards, leading to higher crash rates.

While emerging technologies such as collision avoidance systems and electronic stability control can enhance safety, they must be tailored to the specific needs of young drivers, and collaboration among vehicle manufacturers, technology providers, and policymakers is essential to maximize their benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Technology and teen drivers. Lee, JD.[2014]

A study involving 26 teen drivers used an event-triggered video device to capture risky driving behaviors, allowing for parental feedback through weekly reviews, which significantly reduced dangerous driving events among at-risk teens.

This innovative approach extends parental guidance beyond the initial learning phase, suggesting that technology can play a crucial role in improving teen driving safety even after they obtain their licenses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Extending parental mentoring using an event-triggered video intervention in rural teen drivers. McGehee, DV., Raby, M., Carney, C., et al.[2007]

Installing monitoring devices in vehicles of 85 teenage drivers led to improved seat belt use, especially when parents received reports of violations and in-vehicle alerts were activated.

Reducing speeding behavior was more effective when teenagers were alerted about their speeding and believed their behavior would not be reported to parents, highlighting the importance of parental involvement in modifying risky driving behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of in-vehicle monitoring on the driving behavior of teenagers. Farmer, CM., Kirley, BB., McCartt, AT.[2010]

In a study using a new driving simulator protocol called the Simulated Driving Assessment (SDA), novice teen drivers (n=20) were found to crash significantly more often (35%) than experienced adult drivers (n=17), who did not crash at all during a simulated rear-end crash scenario.

The analysis revealed that 50% of novice teens maintained a dangerously short headway time of less than 3 seconds compared to 25% of adults, indicating that the SDA effectively differentiates driving performance based on experience and highlights the risks associated with inexperienced teen drivers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

HEADWAY TIME AND CRASHES AMONG NOVICE TEENS AND EXPERIENCED ADULT DRIVERS IN A SIMULATED LEAD TRUCK BRAKING SCENARIO. McDonald, CC., Seacrist, TS., Lee, YC., et al.[2021]

The TeenDrivingPlan (TDP) intervention was effective in promoting greater diversity in driving practice among newly licensed drivers, with 84% of families using the program early in the learner phase.

Families who engaged more with TDP in the first week showed significantly higher practice diversity, suggesting that early and consistent use of the program is crucial for improving driving skills.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Engagement with the TeenDrivingPlan and diversity of teens' supervised practice driving: lessons for internet-based learner driver interventions. Winston, FK., Mirman, JH., Curry, AE., et al.[2016]

Integrating a parent communication intervention with an in-vehicle video feedback system significantly reduced unsafe driving events among young drivers, with the combined intervention group showing a 79% reduction in unsafe driving compared to the control group.

The study involved 150 parent-teen dyads and demonstrated that teaching parents effective communication strategies further enhanced the effectiveness of the in-vehicle feedback system, leading to even safer driving behaviors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A randomized trial to test the impact of parent communication on improving in-vehicle feedback systems. Peek-Asa, C., Reyes, ML., Hamann, CJ., et al.[2020]

Citations

1.

mdl.mndot.gov

mdl.mndot.gov/_flysystem/fedora/2023-01/202101.pdf

Effectiveness of Teenage Driver Support System (TDSS) ...

The outcome of the study is expected to clarify the long-term effectiveness of an in-vehicle support system as well as promote future implementations with a ...

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cts-d8resmod-prd.oit.umn.edu

cts-d8resmod-prd.oit.umn.edu/pdf/cts-19-24.pdf

Teen Driver Support System Technology Transfer

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10979602/

ProjectDRIVE: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial ...

Using in-vehicle device and smartphone application technology, the study provides real-time and cumulative driving feedback to intervention ...

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nhtsa.gov

nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/811333.pdf

An Exploration of Vehicle-Based Monitoring of Novice ...

Focus groups of teen drivers and their parents were conducted to explore issues of motivation, preference, and usability of teen monitoring systems and concepts ...

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nationwidechildrens.org

nationwidechildrens.org/newsroom/news-releases/2025/05/cirp_vehicleage_safety

Study Finds Teens Driving Older Vehicles Have Increased ...

Researchers found that driving vehicles 6-15 years old had a 19% greater risk of driver death in fatal crashes, and driving vehicles older than 15 years had a ...

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lifesaversconference.org

lifesaversconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/morris-2.pdf

Smartphone-Based Teen Driver Support System

The TDSS device, mounted on the vehicle's dashboard, provides visual and auditory warnings to the teen driver about speeding, stop sign violations, upcoming ...