Helping parents teach teen drivers to spot road hazards
Official title: Improving Novice Driver Roadway Hazard Identification Through a Parent-Focused Intervention
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-10915695 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping new teen drivers learn to spot dangers on the road by encouraging parents to have helpful talks and practice sessions with them about driving safely.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $234,869 |
| NIH project number | 5R00HD102588-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10915695 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are parents of teen drivers who are in the learner phase of obtaining their driver's license.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who may not receive benefit from this research include experienced drivers or those who are not involved in the learning process of a teen driver.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the ability of novice teen drivers to identify potential roadway hazards through a parent-focused intervention. It aims to enhance the conversations between parents and their teen drivers about recognizing and responding to hazards while driving. By providing specific guidance to parents, the project seeks to create a structured approach to teaching hazard identification during the learner phase of driving. The methodology includes engaging parents and teens in discussions and practice sessions to reinforce these skills.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer driving practices among novice teen drivers, potentially reducing the risk of accidents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that parental involvement can significantly enhance learning outcomes in various educational contexts, suggesting potential success for this approach in driving education.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'neal, Elizabeth — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: O'neal, Elizabeth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.