In October 2013, the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) commissioned the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) to install a project group for the development of further proposals for reducing novice car drivers’ accident risk in Germany. The project group’s order encompassed two tasks: Within task A measures should be proposed for the time span after driver education and licensing tests. During this time span novice drivers’ accident risk is the highest (so called 'high risk phase'). In the focus of the measure development for this time span should be: Possibilities 1. of gaining driving experience under low risk circumstances, 2. of amplifying protective regulations and 3. of educational interventions, i.e. driver training. Task B targeted the development of institutionlisation concepts to promote a broader scientific support structure for driver education and novice driver measures within the system of novice driver preparation. Therefore, BASt installed the project group 'high risk phase of novice drivers' (Projektgruppe 'Hochrisikophase Fahranfänger': PGHR). Involved in the project group were representatives of the federal and state transport policy level, practical experts of traffic safety organisations and associations (e.g. ADAC, DVR, driving teacher associations), scientists of several universities and of BASt. The project group met several times between February 2014 and October 2018. This report presents the final results of the project group’s work. It was edited by BASt and approved by the project group members. Part I of the report presents the final results for task A. It focuses on the project group’s proposal for the future orientation of the German system of novice driver preparation after compulsory driver education and licensing tests. Essentially, for the high risk phase of novice drivers the joint proposal comprises: • A general prolongation of the probationary period – The current duration of the probationary period is two years. It is proposed that this should be extended to three years in order to persuade novice drivers to adhere to rules and regulations for a longer period of time. • Time discounts for voluntary participation in qualified measures – Discounts are needed as incentives for participation in the qualified measures. Within the proposed scheme time discounts of up to 12 month can be gained. Nevertheless, the maximum of 12 month ensures that the current duration of the probationary period is maintained. • Qualified measures – Accompanied driving and novice driver training are proposed as qualified measures. The particular details of these three elements in the proposed approach are described and justified. Part II of the report – also as part of task A – is dedicated particularly to the proposed educational measures in the high risk phase. Part II holds two stand-alone reports in addition to the project group’s work. These reports were commissioned by the originators of the two proposed qualified driver training measures. In the first stand-alone report, the two proposed driver trainings are described in detail with regard to their possible benefits for novice driver preparation, the scientific base of their design as well as requirements for their practical implementation. In the second stand-alone report, the two proposed driver trainings are compared to earlier educational measures in the high risk phase of novice drivers (so called 'Freiwillige Fortbildungsseminare für Fahranfänger'). Along five criteria the two new driver trainings are compared to the old 'Freiwillige Fortbildungsseminare für Fahranfänger' and differences are explicated. Part III reports on the project group’s final results for task B. Currently, the appointment of a permanent expert advisory committee by the federal governmen seems to be in principle advisable and practically feasible. (Author/publisher)
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