As part of ongoing traffic safety work, a programme was commissioned by the German Road Safety Council to promote personal communication in vocational training colleges. This programme was carried out by specially trained moderators of the German Association for the Prevention of Accidents. One of the main aspects of the programme is the method of the "dilemma game". Group discussions which are led by the moderators aim to help young participants find solution strategies for the dilemmas which they have subjectively experienced in everyday life. These should help them to react more safely to any future traffic conflicts which may arise. In order to decide whether to continue the programme on a long-term basis, the Federal Highway Research Institute commissioned an empirical evaluation. Twenty moderators were recorded on video at the college location, the participants were given written survey sheets before and after the sessions and the moderators were interviewed after each session. On the whole, the moderators gave classic traffic safety lessons, concentrating on factual knowledge about the cause of accidents and safe behaviour in traffic environments. Only four of the twenty group sessions concentrated mainly on the communication principle, prompting the participants in the group discussions and initiating the desired solution strategies for safe behaviour in traffic. As a rule, the participants found the subject to be of great importance and expressed the desire to see it discussed more in schools. To establish the programme, it was recommended that the procedures for recruiting moderators be changed, in order to select moderators who show greater awareness for the daily living conditions and experiences of the target group, and who are able to apply the methodical approach of the programme. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting