E*Driveline: April 2008

A Driver and Traffic Safety Newsletter edited by Jack Weaver Ph.D. and produced by the United Safety Council. 877-892-0002 www.unitedsafetycouncil.com

AGAIN, AN OFFER THAT WE HOPE YOU CAN NOT REFUSE:  The United Safety Council is offering each person or company that receives this E*Driveline a FREE copy of the NEW CADS Video Program titled “TIME AND SPACE MANAGEMENT”.

Like our other CADS video programs, Time and Space Management is a three-part driver improvement program, which sells for $95.00, and is designed for use as either a driver self-study program, or group driver performance session. 

WHAT’S THE CATCH?  To receive your free copy of the CADS Time and Space Management program you must order the video program through the United Safety Council website www.unitedsafetycouncil.com, and pay the shipping costs ($20.00 in the U.S., may be somewhat more outside the U.S.).  For your information, the Crash Avoidance Driving video is available only in the DVD format, and the Instructor Manual is on a CD Disk.  Note:  This offer expires June 30, 2008.

THE HISTORY BEHIND THE CADS VIDEO PROGRAMS: In the 60’s the president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) concluded that driver risk taking behavior could not be improved, and thus changed the focus of IIHS from driver improvement to vehicle improvement.  It is difficult to argue with the success IIHS has had in bringing down the number of deaths and injuries through its vehicle crash worthiness and occupant protection approach to driver and traffic safety.

I, and many others, applaud the IIHS for their highly significant contribution to highway safety.  However I, and many others, continue to believe that driver performance and driver behavior can be improved.  The earliest evidence of success in bringing about improvements in driver behavior was demonstrated in a research carried out by Drs. Peltz and Shuman at the University of Michigan. 

Essentially the research used the “Trigger Film Approach” designed to provoke dynamic discussion among a group of young drivers from the Detroit area.  Traffic violation and crash data showed a statistically significant improvement in the risk taking behavior of the drivers that participated in the study.  Whereas, as control group that did not participate in the group dynamics sessions did not show a corresponding statistical change.       

CADS is an acronym for Crash Avoidance Driving Series.  The CADS video programs were first developed in 1996 in response to numerous requests for video oriented traffic safety programs that could be used for group discussion behavioral modification sessions.  The dynamic discussion approach utilized successfully in the University of Michigan Study was selected as the model for the early CADS video programs.  For the most part the early CADS video programs proved to be effective when used by group discussion leaders that did not dominate the discussion sessions.

In 2006 the format of the CADS video programs were modified, and the CADS concepts and content adapted for use as either a self-study lesson or a group dynamics session.   

INCIDENTALLY, you do not need to order the Crash Avoidance Driving Series video program to receive future editions of the E*Driveline.  We will be pleased to add your email address to our E*Driveline mailing list, and email you each new edition of the E*Driveline without cost.  To add your name to the E*Driveline mailing list, open the United Safety Council website www.unitedsafetycouncil.com select Driver Training and Evaluation Videos, click on “Crash Avoidance Driving” Order Now, and enter your name, email address, etc. on the Contact Information Form.  Leave the Video Selection spaces blank.    

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:  The United Safety Council offers a variety of Driver and Traffic Safety Programs and Services that may be helpful in your efforts to assess the driver’s knowledge and skills, and prepare the drivers for specific driving requirements.  For information relating to the available driver testing and training programs, please see the United Safety Council website (www.unitedsafetycouncil.com) or call toll-free 1-877-892-0002.

REMINDER: The DRIVER PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS SYSTEM (DPAS) is now available in Spanish.  With the assistance of Loomis Fargo & Company, and other high volume DPAS users, United Safety Council conducted an in-depth validation analysis of the Spanish Edition of the DPAS and found it to be a reliable measure of driver performance. If you wish to preview the Online Spanish DPAS, call 1-877-892-0002 and request a no-obligation free demonstration.

YOUR SATISFACTION GUARANTEED:  If you purchase a video driver testing or training program from United Safety Council, and the program does not meet your needs or expectations, you may return the program within 30 days for a refund (less shipping and handling costs).
 
COMING TRAFFIC SAFETY CONFERENCES: 

FREE VIDEO CATALOG:  If you wish to learn more about the driver and traffic safety video programs offered by United Safety Council, please order your free copy of our DVD Video Catalog through the United Safety Council website www.unitedsafetycouncil.com or call toll free 1-877-892-0002. 

NO HUMOR IN THIS EDITION OF E*DRIVELINE.  (I decided that I couldn’t compete with the politicians.)  

- Jack