Driving

​As technology evolves and affects driving practices, understanding the connection between driving decisions and behaviors, risk perception and auto-related injuries has become increasingly important.

In its early years, the Institute’s driving research focused on vehicle crashworthiness—studying ways to make cars safer through vehicle design and safety features. Today, researchers study driver behaviors and perceptions as they relate to crash risk—especially the risks associated with distraction and fatigue, among the most common causes of crashes today.​

Research Highlights

​Drowsy driving is a major public health concern.  The ABC News program, Nightline featured our research in this area.  Our scientists study drowsy driving to raise awareness of the problem and inform interventions. Read more. . .
 
As part of our distracted driving research, scientists studied in-vehicle glances during driving.  They found that a glance, even as brief as two seconds, can have a negative safety impact. Read more . . .

Driving

​Focus: Driving behavior-related injuries

Objective: To understand the risk factors for crashes and injuries—specifically those related to distraction, fatigue and driver perceptions—and to examine how telematics and automation may be used to help reduce risk.

​Focus: Driving behavior-related injuries

Objective: To understand the risk factors for crashes and injuries—specifically those related to distraction, fatigue and driver perceptions—and to examine how telematics and automation may be used to help reduce risk.