The Impact of Reality-based Elements in Teen Drivers’ Education
Interactive, reality-based elements could do a lot to boost teen driver education courses. This is the conclusion of a Baylor University study, which analyzed the effect of a supplemental drivers’ education program on teens’ risk awareness and driving behavior. Parents of teens in North Carolina may want to learn more about the program.
What is the Texas Reality Education for Drivers Program?
The Texas Reality Education for Drivers program is a one-day, six-hour class set in a hospital. While it incorporates traditional elements like lectures, videos and discussions, these are not at the center of the program. Teens are taken on guided tours through the hospital’s emergency rooms, ICU, and morgue and even converse with health care staffers about their experiences treating crash victims.
The study traced the development of risk awareness among the 21 teen participants, most of whom were enrolled in the RED program by their parents or referred to by a court, school administrator, or community group. The most frequent form of unsafe driving that they engaged in was calling and texting behind the wheel.
By the end of the program, teens recognized the dangers of many driving behaviors that they previously thought were harmless. Researchers also noted an increase in parental involvement afterward. The study claims that more and more risk education programs with realistic elements are being offered by insurers, private companies, government agencies and hospitals.
When there’s an auto accident, victims who are not at fault can recover damages. North Carolina follows the rule of contributory negligence, which means that those who contribute at all to an accident will be barred from recovery. This is why victims will want lawyers to assess their cases. If there are grounds for a claim, an attorney could hire third parties to prove the defendant’s guilt and measure the extent of the vehicle damage and physical injuries. A lawyer could then negotiate for a settlement.
