Call for 300 Volunteer Families with Teen Drivers for Innovative Research Project in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties          
          
(July 7, 2008) – Do teen drivers perform better with involved parents? A research project in Southern Maryland is testing the effectiveness of parental coaching of teen drivers, and 300 volunteers families are being sought in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties. As part of the study, families with teen drivers in southern Maryland are being offered the free use of DriveCam for one year. Based on innovative technology that has enhanced the safety of business and corporate fleets around the world, DriveCam, Inc. offers in-vehicle video monitoring and coaching on driving for families.           
          
With federal funding being provided through the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Office (MHSO), the first-of-its-kind study is an outgrowth of the state’s strategic highway safety plan and the commitment of Southern Maryland leaders to help shape young safe drivers. More than 120 people were killed in Maryland last year in young driver involved crashes. Interested parents and teens should make contact with the program coordinators; no-obligation informational meetings are available.          
          
“Maryland’s goal is to build better drivers, and we’re expecting the data to provide the additional research needed to expand young driver education programs. Our goal is to prepare and improve the driving of our youngest and most vulnerable drivers,” stated Neil J. Pedersen, Administrator of the Maryland State Highway Administration and Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.           
          
How does the technology work? While the DriveCam is constantly recording, it only saves brief video clips of 10-20 seconds in length when certain “events” – such as sudden braking, swerving, acceleration or a collision occur. The teens are aware that the event is being saved, as a flashing light will signal. Saved events include interior and exterior views of the critical seconds before and after the erratic vehicle movement so parents and the teen driver can view what happened and why. Parents can access the password protected “event” video clip a day or two later on DriveCam Inc.’s website. The clip will provide analysis of the incident with professional coaching tips and comments attached. Typically, less than one percent of a teen’s driving is recorded by DriveCam. The study will determine whether this technology aids parents in determining when their teen has acquired the skills and level of maturity needed for independent driving during varying conditions, such as inclement weather, heavy commuteaffic or during evening and nighttime hours.          
          
“The Drive-Cam program pilot is just one of many tools that we're exploring to make our youngest drivers our safest drivers,” said Wayne Clark, Executive Director of the Southern Maryland Tri-County Alliance. “DriveCam is a technology that opens a dialogue about safe driving between parents and their young drivers. The program has proven effective in changing core behavior and establishing sound practices and skills needed to be a safe driver.”          
          
Parents in Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties should contact the CTSP Coordinator in their county for more information on how to enroll in the program. Interested parents and teens are encouraged to contact the project coordinators:          
St. Mary’s County - Jackie Beckman, CTSP Coordinator – (301) 475-4200 ext. 1850 or Jackie.Beckman@co.saint-marys.md.us           
Charles County - Rebecca Martin, CTSP Coordinator – (301) 932-3056 or martinb@ccso.us           
Calvert County - Debbie Jennings, CTSP Coordinator – (410) 535-2200 or jennindk@co.cal.md.us .          
          
The Southern Maryland DriveCam project is one component of the Maryland State Highway Administration's Choose Safety for Life, a campaign that provides one voice for drivers, motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists and truckers. With 93 percent of traffic crashes occurring because someone made a wrong choice on Maryland roadways, virtually all traffic crash fatalities could be prevented if everyone practices these five key steps: B-SAFE – Buckle up, Slow down – speeding kills, Always drive sober, Focus, Everyone share the road. Learn more at choosesafetyforlife.com.          
          
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