Aligning Iowa Driver Education Curriculum and Standards Toward a Zero Fatalities Vision

Project Details
STATUS

In-Progress

PROJECT NUMBER

22-801, SPR-RE22(018)-8H-00

START DATE

06/01/22

END DATE

05/31/24

RESEARCH CENTERS InTrans, CTRE, Iowa LTAP
SPONSORS

Iowa Department of Transportation

Researchers
Principal Investigator
Shauna Hallmark

Director, InTrans

Co-Principal Investigator
Keith Knapp

Director, Iowa LTAP

Co-Principal Investigator
Nicole Oneyear

About the research

Effective driver education should provide a solid foundation for novice drivers in order to establish good driving habits and be prepared for the variety of driving conditions present in Iowa. Accomplishing this requires a data-driven, scientific approach to understand the safety issues and challenges for novice drivers in order to develop a driver education curriculum that meets their needs. On the other hand, development and maintenance of an entire Driver Education program similar to what is currently available from vendors is a rather resource- and time-intensive undertaking. This research takes a balanced approach in addressing the core driver education needs in Iowa while leveraging existing resources. Specifically, the project will accomplish the following:

  • Compare the current Iowa driver education curriculum against national/regional programs and standards and identify gaps
  • Survey professional and parent driving instructors in Iowa to identify gaps and best practices
  • Identify novice driver safety issues through a summary of available information and analyses of the Iowa crash data
  • Identify gaps in the Iowa Driver Education curriculum using the information gathered in project activities
  • Develop curriculum content for the most critical gaps
  • Develop an outline of suggested content for a driving curriculum that meet the needs of novice drivers in Iowa
  • Provide guidance for incorporation of the proposed curriculum and developed content use and incorporation by vendors and driving instructors
  • Provide guidance to assist private vendors/instructors on updating teaching and delivery methods
  • Develop guidelines for adoption of curriculums by private vendors for Iowa
  • Develop recommendations on teaching and delivery methods
  • Draft language to incorporate changes into the Iowa Code
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