Effectiveness of a One-Day Educational Program for Young Traffic Offenders

Joy Raybourn

Date of Graduation

Fall 2006

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing

Department

Nursing

Committee Chair

Kathryn Hope

Abstract

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teenagers in the United States. This descriptive correlational study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the Young Traffic Offender’s Program, a one-day program utilized by a trauma center to educate young drivers about possible consequences of making poor choices while operating a motor vehicle. The study utilized a convenience sample of 194 young drivers convinced of at least one moving traffic violation and sentenced by the court to attend the program. The study examined data collected over a 2.5 year period from February 2004 through June 2006. Ex post facto data were collected from pre- and post-program questionnaires filled out by participants and from post-program essays written by participants. Careful archiving of records made it possible to match individual participants’ pre- and post- program questionnaire responses. Pre- and post-program questionnaires were analyzed using the paired samples t test. Post program essays were scrutinized for common themes that would provide insight into the effectiveness of the program. Using an alpha level of .05, the analysis revealed a statistically significant improvement in the participants’ level of awareness of their risk for head and spinal injuries, as well as in their understanding of the extend and permanence of these injuries and their perception of their ability to initiate steps to protect themselves from such injures. These findings were supported by comments in post-program essays. Post-program essays indicated the majority of participants perceived their attendance at the Young Traffic Offender’s Program to have been a positive experience.

Keywords

Young Traffic Offender, traffic violation, teen driver, program, risky driving behavior, education, injury prevention

Subject Categories

Nursing

Copyright

© Joy Raybourn

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Dissertation/Thesis

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