Bill Overview
Title: DRIVERS Act
Description: DRIVERS Act This bill addresses statewide efforts to improve traffic safety for teen drivers. Specifically, the bill authorizes states to use highway safety program funding for affordable and accessible classroom-based driving instruction to prepare teens for state graduated driving license requirements.
Sponsors: Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Target Audience
Population: Teen drivers preparing for state graduated driving license requirements
Estimated Size: 21000000
- The bill specifically mentions teen drivers as the target population for receiving improved traffic safety education.
- Globally, there are millions of teens who are of driving age or approaching driving age who would potentially benefit from such programs.
- The impact could extend to all road users by reducing accidents and improving safety, but the direct target is teens preparing for driving.
- Only those in areas where the bill's provisions are enacted and funded would be directly impacted.
Reasoning
- The DRIVERS Act focuses on teen drivers explicitly, making it crucial to interview teens themselves, their parents, and road safety officers who see the benefits firsthand.
- Not all areas will see the same level of policy implementation due to varying state resources, affecting how widespread the impact is.
- Teens in rural areas may benefit most if access to driving education has been limited thus far.
- Interviews should include some people outside the target demographic to show those who might not be directly affected.
- Consider parents who would otherwise pay for expensive driving schools.
- The budget cap limits how many states can rollout full programs, potentially leading to partial implementation in some regions.
Simulated Interviews
High School Student (California, USA)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having access to affordable driving lessons would be awesome since I can only get my parents to teach me on weekends.
- I think it'll make the roads safer if everyone knows what they're doing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
High School Student (Texas, USA)
Age: 17 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been saving for a driving school, but if it's cheaper or easier to learn that's great.
- More kids at my school would probably do it if it's part of our school system.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
High School Student (Ohio, USA)
Age: 16 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Here, it's hard to get good driving classes without traveling far, which is a barrier.
- If the state provides these programs, I'd feel more prepared and safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Student (New York, USA)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I took some driving classes but they were expensive.
- My younger cousins would benefit if this became more affordable and widespread.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Mother, HR Manager (Florida, USA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'd feel more at ease if my child had access to structured driving education instead of just my guidance.
- If state funding lowers the cost, that's a relief financially.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
High School Student (Illinois, USA)
Age: 16 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want to drive, but my family can't afford driving school easily.
- Making it part of school means I can participate with friends too and learn together.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
High School Student (Georgia, USA)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having structured lessons would help me pass my driving test sooner.
- It would also free up money I could use for my car.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Driving Instructor (Colorado, USA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen firsthand the difference quality education makes. State programs can raise overall competence.
- Increasing accessibility will potentially decrease accidents among new drivers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Student (Kentucky, USA)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I would've loved to take part in a program like this, cheaper and more organized than what I had.
- My younger siblings might benefit now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Retail Worker (Nevada, USA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad for teens today if they get better lessons than what I had—might reduce new driver accidents.
- This wouldn't affect me now, but it's definitely a smart move for the state.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $54000000 (Low: $44000000, High: $64000000)
Year 5: $58000000 (Low: $48000000, High: $68000000)
Year 10: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 100: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- The DRIVERS Act's success is largely dependent on states' willingness and ability to integrate expanded driver education into their existing traffic safety programs.
- The degree of federal funding support could significantly influence the participation rate of states and the program's ultimate coverage.
- Potential resistance may come from budget-focused stakeholders concerned about the increased costs related to program implementation.