Systems for monitoring behaviour and feedback
Systems that monitor driving behaviour of young people and give feedback to the young drivers themselves or to their parents/supervisors have existed for some time; they are sometimes deployed by insurance companies. Driving behaviour is monitored by in-car devices, a datalogger or a phone app. The system measures g-forces exerted on the car, speed, road position, use of safety belts and distance to other traffic. It can give direct feedback on driving behaviour, or feedback to the young drivers or their parents/supervisors after the car journey. International research shows that monitoring-feedback systems may reduce dangerous driving behaviour by more than 50% [33] [58]. If this also translates into a reduction of crash risk, has not yet been sufficiently researched to allow for sound conclusions. Implementation thresholds of monitoring-feedback systems concern acceptance by young drivers and their parents/supervisors that is related to issues of privacy and the bonds of trust between parents and children. Positive framing of the use of monitoring-feedback systems may improve acceptance rates, for example by adding a game element [59]. Expectations are that such a system will not be effective for all young drivers. Particularly young drivers who overestimate their own skills will benefit from the system, as Ouimet and colleagues [60] showed for alcohol interlock instalment in the cars of young drivers.
Systems to prevent distraction by phone use
Possibly, telephone use while driving can be prevented by certain phone apps. Various apps are available on the Dutch market (for a description see the ANWB website). The apps can block incoming messages for as long as the young drivers are behind the wheel which reduces distraction. Yet, we expect that it is precisely the group of young drivers that display the most dangerous behaviour that will not use such an app, or will find ways to circumvent it [38]. Installing a ‘soft blocking’ app – which only blocks the telephone sound while driving – is a less rigorous option that might therefore be easier to accept [61]. In the Netherlands, the Auto-modus app of insurance company Interpolis was assessed. This app not only blocks incoming messages, but also hands out compliments or awards merit points to young drivers when they have not used their phones while driving. Compared to the control group, the participants reported less phone use in the weeks they used the app [62].
