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2006Traffic Safety Summit

Youth Driver Education Workshop

March 1, 2006Presented by:

Gary Bubar, AAA Michigan Greg Lantzy and Darcy Bozen Michigan Department of State

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• Minimum age of 14 years, 8 months.

• Vision/health screening.

• 24 hrs. classroom instruction.

• 6 hrs. behind-the-wheel.

• Written exam.

Driver Education – Segment 1

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Level 1 License

• No fee.

• Minimum age of 14 years, 9 months.

• Vision exam.

• Health Standards Certification.

• Written approval of parents.

• May drive only with licensed parent or designated licensed adult age 21 or older.

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Preparation for Driver Education Segment 2

• Minimum 30 hours of behind-the-wheel experience with a licensed parent or designated licensed adult, including 2 hours of night-time driving.

• Minimum of 3 months between completion of Segment 1 and start

of Segment 2.

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Driver Education - Segment 2

6 hours of classroom instruction.

Possible written exam.

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Preparation for Road Test

• Complete what remains of the required 50 total hours of behind-the-wheel – day and night.

• Review study guides.

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Road Test• Conducted by a certified third party

testing organization.

• Fee will vary.

• Minimum of 6 months at Level 1.

• Vehicle Inspection.

• Off-roadway test.

• On-roadway test.

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Level 2 License• Fee.

• 16 years of age.

• 90 days violation/crash-free prior to application for Level 2 license.

• May drive unsupervised except from midnight to 5:00 a.m.

• Driving permitted from midnight to 5:00 a.m. if driving to or from employment or with a licensed parent or designated adult age 21 or older.

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Level 3 License

• No fee.

• 17 years of age.

• Minimum of 6 months at Level 2.

• 12 consecutive months of violation/ crash-free driving at Level 1/Level 2 prior to application for Level 3.

• Full driving privileges with no restrictions.

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Driver Education Programs 2004

180

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921

360

Teen Licensed Driver Training Schools

Adult Licensed DriverTraining Schools

Teen and Adult Licensed Programs

Commercial LicensedDriver Training Schools

Public Schools

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Driver Education Instructors 2004

1400

1245

288

Public SchoolInstructors

LicensedInstructorsTeaching Teens

Licensed InstructorsTeaching Adults

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Michigan Driver EducationProgram Comparisons

2000 - 2004

20002001200220032004Public Schools 473 460 448 422 360

90% 88% 85% 80% 69%*Driver TrainingSchools 119 124 133 149 180 Total Programs 592 584 581 571 540

* Indicates percentage of public school districts in Michigan

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Average Charge for Programs

  Public Schools

Driver Training Schools

Segment 1 $250 $280

Segment 2 $30 $40

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Michigan Young Driver Action Plan

Member AgenciesAAA Michigan

Michigan Department of State PoliceMichigan Department of State

Michigan Driver &Traffic Safety Educators Association

Michigan Center for Truck Safety Michigan Resource Center for Health and Safety

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Young Driver Action TeamIn December 2004, the Young Driver Action Team was charged with the responsibility of addressing the continued over-representation of drivers under the age of 24 in traffic crashes. Strategies to be considered include:

• Provide high-risk driver education programs targeting drivers age 16-24 with injury prevention, occupant protection, DUI, speed and attention messages.

• Develop public information and education campaigns with activities targeting behaviors that endanger young drivers. Employ selective targeting of ages with tailored messages.

• Participate with national legislative advocacy groups.

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Additional Strategies To Be Considered

• Enhance effective existing safety programs such as graduated licensing and drivers education.

• Increase monitoring of new and existing high school driver education and private driver training school programs.

• Standardize the driver education curriculum required for both the classroom and behind the wheel driver education.

• Upgrade the driver education teacher preparation and continuing education programs.

• Explore possible engineering countermeasures.

• Enforce laws prohibiting underage drinking, serving and purchasing of alcohol.

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Young Driver IssuesLicensed Drivers by Age, 2004

020,00040,00060,00080,000

100,000120,000140,000

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Age

Nu

mb

er

of d

rive

rs

A breakdown of the group of drivers 16-24 indicates a weighting toward those drivers beyond high school years. This is indicative of either fewer persons in the younger age groups, or a willingness on the part of those 16-17 to postpone obtaining a license until age 18 or older. Census data comparing 16-17 year olds from 1990 to 2000 indicated 6% and 8% increases in the number of persons, respectively. If there are ample 16-17 year olds, it may be reasonable to conclude that drivers are more willing to postpone licensing until age 18 or older. This may be problematic, as it allows the new and inexperienced driver to gain licensure without the benefit of driver education or the guided learning of Michigan’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) process.

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Crash Involved Drivers by Age, 2004

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Age

Nu

mb

er

of d

rive

rs

Crash Rates per 100MMVT for Drivers by Age, 2004

0.000

0.050

0.100

0.150

0.200

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Age

Cra

sh

Ra

te

Within the 16-24 age group, 18 year olds had the most crash involvements and the highest crash rate among these drivers. This may reflect the lack of experience and the need for driver education for all new drivers, regardless of age.

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Trends in Young Driver Crashes

Graduated Driver Licensing (for drivers under 18) and the testing procedures in place for new drivers over 18 have placed emphasis on late night crashes; as evidenced by the Midnight-5AM restriction for drivers holding a Level 2 license. Though this is true for fatal crashes, it is less so for non-fatal crashes.

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Trends in Young Driver Crashes (cont’d)

This is also true for day of the week, with Saturday recording the most fatals, but a nearly even distribution when considering crashes of all types.

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Strategies and ActionsStrategy:

Provide for an in-depth analysis of crash causation for drivers in the GDL process, as well as those 18 and over who do not go through this process.

Action:Short term: Explore the potential funding sources to continue this valuable research. This ensures that the proper content and delivery of driver education curriculum and the licensing process itself contributes to addressing crash causes among this age group.

Long term: Work with the MDOS, MSP and other agencies to create, within the GDL law framework, a permanent requirement and funding source for this research and analysis to ensure that we are providing the best opportunity for our youngest and least experienced drivers to succeed.

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Strategies and ActionsStrategy:

Enhance the capability and knowledge base for the law enforcement community to better monitor the actions of new drivers.Action:Short Term: Create a ticket book-sized “cheat sheet” that has all pertinent information for the various licensing levels and the documents required for drivers at the various levels or licensing and education.

Long Term: Include the law enforcement community in all changes to GDL, driver education and licensing that make their job easier. This may include public information and education (PI&E) efforts, training opportunities and inclusion on appropriate committees, in order that information and tools can be more effectively disseminated.

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Strategies and ActionsStrategy:

Assist the novice driver, regardless of age, in forming the attitudes, behaviors and gaining the knowledge necessary to reduce the incidence of traffic crashes within this group.

Action: Short Term: Explore the feasibility of and the options available for a driver education program aimed at all new drivers not currently being served by the GDL process.

Long Term: Within the evolution of Michigan driver licensing law, formulate policy, procedure and curriculum recommendations whereby driver education would become a requirement for all drivers applying for licensure for the first time, regardless of age.

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Questions?Gary Bubar, Chair

Young Driver Action Team&

AAA Michigan

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Public Acts 70 and 71 of 2004 transferred the Driver Education Program from the Department of Education to the Department of State

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Department of Education Program

Teen program criteria:

• Review of performance objectives, classroom locations, fire marshal inspection, motor

vehicle safety equipment and identification.

• Issuance of driver education certificates.

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Department of Education Program

(continued)Instructor criteria:

• Completion of teacher preparation courses.

• Driving record review for instructors.

Initial approval of programs and instructors, continues until withdrawn.

MCL 257.811 and Driver Education Administrative Rules, 1999 AC R 388.301 – R 388.339

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Department of State Program

Teen, adult, and truck driver training criteria:

• Established place of business.

• Student records and contracts.

• Surety bonds and insurance on motor vehicles used for instruction.

• Motor vehicle safety equipment and identification, minimum number of students in vehicle for teen program.

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Department of State Program (continued)

Instructor criteria:

• Criminal history check for school operator and instructors.

• Driving record review for instructors.

• Medical examination for instructors.

Annual license application fee for driver training

schools and instructors.Legal Authority MCL 256.601 et seq. and the Driver Training School Administrative rules, 1999 AC R 388.351 to R 388.362

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Driver Education Advisory Committee Purpose

• Provide a forum for the driver education community to directly interact with the Secretary of State to identify issues and concerns related to driver education.

• Draw upon the vision and expertise of the driver education community to strengthen the driver education program in Michigan.

• Provide input for new legislation to replace existing Driver Training Act that will sunset October 2006.

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Committee MembersJacqueline El-Sayed, PhD – Professor, Mechanical Engineering at Kettering University, Flint, Michigan Truck Safety Commissioner.

Sue Allen – Driver education instructor/coordinator, Haslett Public Schools, Haslett.

Cindy Agle – Exec. Director, Michigan Resource Center for Health and Safety, Lansing.

Robin Bordner – Public/private school driver education instructor, White Pigeon High School, White Pigeon.

Steve Brieve – Administrator/owner, Lakeside Driver Education, Holland. Driver education instructor/coordinator, Kelloggsville Public Schools.

Tom Gamet – Administrator/owner of ABC Training and Testing.

Doreen Olko – Chief, Auburn Hills Police Department, Auburn Hills.

Diane Perukel – Youth coordinator, Michigan State Police, Lansing.

John Tobin – Driver education instructor/coordinator, Dearborn Public Schools, Dearborn.

Dave VanDyke – President, Michigan Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, Royal Oak.

Mickie Verderbar – Owner, Same Day Testing, Detroit.

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Subcommittees

• Program Requirements

• Instructor

• Instructor Preparation

• Curriculum

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RecommendationsProgram

Requirements

• Require all providers to meet same requirements (i.e. record-keeping, reporting).

• Require providers to submit a criminal background check every four years.

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RecommendationsInstructor

• Ensure all instructors meet the same requirements - criminal background check, physical exam, driving record, etc.

• Certify instructors individually versus through a school(s) and include a photo on certificates.

• Require periodic, mandatory professional development for all driver education instructors.

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RecommendationsInstructor Preparation

• Include an internship/practicum as part of the require- ments of the driver education instructor preparation program.

• Require MDOS approval for any courses offered for driver education instructor certification or professional development.

• Requires a person who provides training to driver education instructors be a MDOS certified driver education instructor.

• MDOS will develop a course guide for each driver education instructor preparation class.

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Recommendations

Curriculum

• The Segment 1 curriculum should add 4 clock hours of observation to existing 24 clock hours of classroom instruction and 6 clock hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.

• Develop curriculum guides for Segment 1 and 2 driver education courses.

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Oversight Plan

Plan is multi dimensional

I. Communicate

II. Monitor

III. Inspect/Investigate

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Oversight Plan

I. Communicate

Educate school owners, coordinators and instructors on requirements under the Driver Education and Training Schools Act and Administrative Rules:Web

Written Communications

Provider Manuals

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II. Monitor

Data Analysis

- Ensure accuracy of database -Verification of instructor qualifications

- Review of driving records

- Oversight of third party test providers

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Business Application Modernization (BAM) - Department of State priority implementing

new computer system department-wide- allows enhanced data monitoring-providers working on-line with DOS

Active in statewide interagency consumerprotection group

BBB, A.G., FTC, TV stations

II. Monitor (con’t)

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III. Inspect/Investigate

Based on criteria discovered from data analysis or other observations

ComplaintsInvestigators perform investigations

Oversight Plan

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Current/Future InitiativesSummary

Identify oversight needs of public and private organizations

Develop legislative package

Business Application Modernization

Review teacher preparation programs

Instructor and Coordinator procedures manual

DOS Web site that includes a school locator

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Contact InformationGary Bubar/AAA Michigan – 313-336-1411

GTBubar@aaamichigan.com

MDOS Web Site www.michigan.gov/sos/

MDOS E-Mail www.soswebmaster@michigan.gov

Greg Lantzy/MDOS – 517/241-6850 lantzyg@michigan.gov

Darcel Bozen/MDOS – 517/241-6850bozend@michigan.gov