Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Resource for New Drivers

This study evaluated the resource produced by the NZ Roadshow Trust for novice drivers. The resource consisted of an information booklet, a log book and a puzzle, one half of which was addressed to parents/caregivers and the other half to the students. A telephone survey three months after delivery determined how the resource was perceived and whether there was a difference in the number and variety of hours of practice between students given a copy of the resource and a control group without it. Both study group and control group were recruited from schools and had held learner licences for no longer than three months when recruited. The study found:

• Almost 80% of parents had been given their part of the key puzzle
• 80% of study group respondents completed the key puzzle
• Just over 85% of this group used the information booklet, most found it easy to understand
• 51% said the information booklet was ?Very useful? or ?Useful? with 30% saying it was OK.
• 64% of the study group did not use the logbook. About 40% of this group said they were not driving enough to use it yet.
• Most drivers using the logbook said it was easy to use and useful.
• More than half the study group respondents made positive comments about the effect of the resource on their driving practice.
• Differences between study group and control group included:
• More lessons/practice sessions in the average week by study group members.
• Greater average time spent on each session by study group members.
• Wider variety of roading conditions experienced among study group members