Checkpoints Program
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
The Checkpoints Program helps teen drivers and their parents reduce risky driving behaviors. Crash rates among teenagers are elevated during the first months of licensure; parent-imposed restrictions on initial driving privileges can reduce exposure to high-risk driving conditions and reduce crash risk while driving proficiency develops. Through the program, parents are encouraged to set limits on their newly licensed teens. Families receive persuasive educational materials through the mail, including newsletters and a video to establish expectations for parental restrictions and emphasize the benefits of adopting a parent-teen driving agreement. This agreement helps parents set driving rules, consequences of violating rules, and markers of experience and success. Examples of driving limits include night driving, teen passengers, and other factors that contribute to risky driving. The program fosters communication between parents and their adolescent children about driving.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the Checkpoints Program is to encourage parental limits on teen driving, and decrease risky teen driving.
Impact
The Checkpoints Program increased the rate at which parents placed greater limits on high-risk teen driving conditions and decreased traffic violations among teens.
Results / Accomplishments
A randomized controlled trial was used to compare families in the Checkpoints Program with comparison families receiving general information on driving and vehicle maintenance. Teens and parents in the intervention program reported significantly greater limits on high-risk teen driving conditions at licensure and at 3- and 6-month follow-ups when compared to control families (p < 0.05). Teens in the intervention group reported significantly less risky driving at each reporting period than teens in the control group (p < 0.01). By the 12-month follow-up teens in the intervention group were significantly less likely than those in the comparison group to have a traffic violation (p < 0.01). No significant effect was found for crashes.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Center for Teen Safe Driving
Primary Contact
Center for Teen Safe Driving
Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161
(860) 263-5735
teen.driving@ct.gov
http://www.ct.gov/teendriving/site/default.asp
Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161
(860) 263-5735
teen.driving@ct.gov
http://www.ct.gov/teendriving/site/default.asp
Topics
Community / Public Safety
Health / Adolescent Health
Community / Transportation
Health / Adolescent Health
Community / Transportation
Organization(s)
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Center for Teen Safe Driving
Source
Accident Analysis and Prevention
Date of publication
Sep 2006
Date of implementation
2001
Location
Connecticut
For more details
Target Audience
Teens