Project GADGET, initiated by the EU, has already established that driving education would be more efficient if more weight was attached to other factors, in particular to psychological and social influences on driving behaviour. The sole acquisition of the automatism of motor vehicle operation and mastery of traffic situations has been recognised as being insufficient. Level 4 of driving behaviour should achieve general “Goals for Life and Skills for Living”. Road traffic is thus increasingly recognised as a training ground for social behaviour and the corresponding demands derived from it. The necessity of adopting the skills identified in the test requirements during the course of the project previously mentioned resulted in the GADGET report, which includes, for example, the following demand: “On the basis of the recommendations, new driving educational systems should be implemented or the existing ones should be optimised.” However, how can a critical perception of their own behaviour patterns and risk tendencies be instilled in young people? The dramatic number of accidents across Europe for the 18-24 year old age group provides the urgent need for action in search of suitable measures and methods. The CLOSE TO consortium can point out a new kind of approach with the present final report and the description of procedures, evaluation excerpts and recommendations contained within it. Its practical implementability in driving schools, as well as its sustainable influence on the attitude of young drivers could both be proved by the CLOSE TO method testing and is described in detail in this report. (Author/publisher) For more information see http://www.close-to.net/
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