Previous evaluations of driver education and training have generally concluded that it is not supported as a measure for reducing traffic crashes. It needs to be appreciated, however, that there are a number of reasons why it would be difficult to demonstrate the effectiveness of driver education or training. A substantial effect, resulting in a significant savings in trauma costs, might not be considered statistically significant because of the numbers involved. Moreover, two basic aspects of driver education, the behavioural objectives of courses and teaching strategies, have received little research or attention. At the moment the social context of driving plays a minor role, if any, in driver education and it is not possible to say what are the elements of safer driving. The whole question of driver education needs to be completely re-thought, with emphasis on the most up-to-date research, behavioural objectives and teaching strategies.
Abstract