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Effectiveness of Distracted Driving Campaign

Not Applicable
Conditions
Trauma Prevention
Interventions
Behavioral: Brochure
Behavioral: Video
Behavioral: Power Point
Registration Number
NCT02437149
Lead Sponsor
Nicklaus Children's Hospital f/k/a Miami Children's Hospital
Brief Summary

The study will measure the effectiveness of a distracted driving campaign in the emergency department in teenagers, 15 to 18 years old, to determine if it changes their attitudes towards texting while driving. It will also assess previous knowledge and behaviors in this age group, regarding distracted driving and what educational tool (power point vs. videos vs. brochure) has the most impact changing the attitudes towards texting and driving.

Detailed Description

Distracted driving is defined by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) as any activity that could withdraw a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. It includes, talking or texting on a cell phone, grooming, eating or drinking, changing radio stations, or talking to passengers. Of all these activities text messaging is by far the most alarming distraction because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver.

The NHTSA Research Note on distracted driving found that in 2011, 10% percent of fatal crashes were reported as distraction-affected crashes. This research also showed that teens between 15 to 19 years old are currently the largest group with distracted driving affected crashes, with 21% percent of them getting distracted while using their cell phones.

During the last few years, multiple public awareness campaigns have been launched in attempt to reduce this problem. These massive campaigns have included television, radio and internet campaigns, posters, billboards and brochures among others. Nevertheless, there are no studies assessing the success of these methods.

The research project will use visual and verbal educational tools to engage this population in order to maximize the learning process. The project will include brochures, video presentations and power point presentations. The investigators intend to test a potentially new and effective way to teach our teenagers about the dangers of distracted driving. The project primary goal is to assess if a distracting driving campaign in the emergency department is effective in changing the attitudes towards texting while driving. The investigator also intends to assess the current knowledge about distracted driving and to determine which tool (visual vs. verbal) is most effective to deliver this message.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
273
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adolescents between the ages of 15 to 18 years
Exclusion Criteria
  • Adolescents refusing to participate in the Distracted Driving Campaign.
  • Adolescents visiting the emergency department with a chief complaint related to mental illness, suicide ideation or attempt, or any complaint limiting the ability to complete the questionnaire.
  • Adolescents with diagnosis of developmental delay that could affect his or her ability to complete the questionnaire.
  • Adolescents that do not speak English (the videos about real people who have had accidents while texting and driving found at http://www.distraction.gov/faces/index.html are available only in English.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Brochure OnlyBrochureOnly a brochure with information about distracting driving will be given to the participant.
Video and BrochureBrochureReal stories video presentation and a brochure with information about distracted driving will be given to the participant.
Video and BrochureVideoReal stories video presentation and a brochure with information about distracted driving will be given to the participant.
Power Point and BrochureBrochureBrief power point presentation and a brochure with information about distracted driving will be given to the participant.
Power Point and BrochurePower PointBrief power point presentation and a brochure with information about distracted driving will be given to the participant.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Previous knowledge and attitudes towards distracted driving6 months

A "Pre Campaign Survey" will be given to every participant before the intervention. The survey is a validated questionnaire that assess previous knowledge and attitudes towards distracted driving and demographic variables.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Short Term Effectiveness of the Distracted Driving Campaign6 months

A validated post campaign survey will be given, to each participant, immediately after the intervention. The "Post Campaign Survey 1" will assess the short term effectiveness of the campaign.

Long Term Effectiveness of the Distracted Driving Campaign6 months

A "Post Campaign Survey 2" will be obtain by phone call, at least one month after the intervention is done, to assess long term effectiveness of the campaign.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Nicklaus Children's Hospital f/k/a Miami Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

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