Distracted Driving: A Successful Intervention Program

Introduction

Texting while driving is one of the major causes of accidents which claimed many lives on the roads due to distracted driving. Intervention programs involve educating people on the dangers of texting while driving and has significantly reduced the number of accidents. In the USA, motor vehicle crashes are the primary cause of death for people in the age bracket of 15-24. Distracted driving which includes using the cell phone while driving has joined drunk driving and speeding as significant causes of fatal crashes. Studies have found out that most people who respond to texts while driving are prone to accidents compared to other drivers. The "Steering Teens Safe" campaign was one of the intervention programs that was initiated in response to the high number of teens texting while driving. This essay will assess the application of the risk-attitude framework on educating teens on the dangers of distracted driving.

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Risk-Perception Attitude Framework

The risk-perception attitude framework was built using social cognitive theory and the predictions of the extended parallel process model and argue that the action to mitigate risks is dependent on the risk perception and efficacy beliefs (Connolly, Pivarnik, Mudd, Feltz, Schlaff, Lewis... & Lapinski, 2016). In this case, the risk perception is individual susceptibility to a threat and the severity of the threat. On the other hand, efficacy belief is the ability to change the outcome and the belief that the action will be effective (Kilkenny, 2016). During the "Steering Teens Safe" risk perception attitude was used to classify drivers into responsive (high risk, high efficacy), avoidance (high risk, low efficacy), proactive (low risk, high efficacy), and indifference (low risk, low efficacy). The program led to a positive outcome of reduced accidents because of the combination of high risk perception and strong beliefs which motivated drivers to take action and to engage in protective behaviors.

Intervention Strategy

The "Steering Teens Safe" intervention program used education and accident awareness through the parents who practiced safe driving with their teenage children. The use of the parent to address the issue was vital in its success because of the parent's point of authority amongst the teenagers which increased the risk of perception and efficacy (Ramirez, Yang, Young, Roth, Garinger, Snetselaar, & Peek-Asa, 2013). Parents were able to illustrate safe driving practices such as refraining from the use of cell phones while driving, wearing seat belts and being a safe passenger.

Risk Perception Attitude in Changing People's Behavior and the Role of Efficacy

The risk perception was critical towards changing the teenage driver's behavior of using cell phones while driving (Kilkenny, 2016). The intervention program used demonstrative videos which were shared through Facebook which increased the risk perception amongst the teenagers where the majority are on Facebook (Connolly et al., 2016). A high risk perception coupled by the increased efficacy because the parents directly engaged the teenagers on safe driving behaviors translated to real decline in accidents and adoption of safety measures such as avoiding texting back when driving (Ramirez et al., 2013). Efficacy created determination of the teenagers to change behavior through the belief that practicing safe driving was key towards a reduction in accidents.

Application of the Information in Project Portfolio

The information from the intervention program against road accidents identifies how important it is to ensure that there are a high risk perception and efficacy which is crucial in encouraging people to take action to change the outcomes (Ramirez et al., 2013). In the future project portfolio, it is essential to create measures that will increase the overall risk perception and efficacy levels which will motivate an intervention action to mitigate the risk. Applying the risk perception attitude framework will be vital to the success of the overall intervention program.

Conclusion

This essay identifies the key to a successful intervention program to be the risk perception attitude framework which can be accessed and improved individually. The research shows that adopting a suitable communication medium and agent can influence the perception of the risk and the degree of efficacy beliefs. In the essay, the study uses parents to educate teenagers on the dangers of distracted driving and safe driving measures which increases the overall efficacy belief. Understanding the risk perception and the efficacy beliefs interactions is key towards managing an intervention program.

References

Ramirez, M., Yang, J., Young, T., Roth, L., Garinger, A., Snetselaar, L., & Peek-Asa, C. (2013). Implementation evaluation of steering teens safe: engaging parents to deliver a new parent-based teen driving intervention to their teens. Health Education & Behavior, 40(4), 426-434. Retrieved from https://experts.umn.edu/en/publications/implementation-evaluation-of-steering-teens-safe-engaging-parents

Connolly, C. P., Pivarnik, J. M., Mudd, L. M., Feltz, D. L., Schlaff, R. A., Lewis, M. G., ... & Lapinski, M. K. (2016). The influence of risk perceptions and efficacy beliefs on leisure-time physical activity during pregnancy. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 13(5), 494-503. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2015-0358

Kilkenny, S. (2016). The complete guide to successful event planning. Oscala, FL: Atlantic Publishing Group. ISBN13: 9781620231562