EFFECTIVENESS OF WRITTEN TESTS OF DRIVERS' KNOWLEDGE OF RULES OF THE ROAD

The results of an experimental evaluation of several alternative approaches to testing drivers' knowledge of rules of the road are presented. Members of the Virginia population of drivers applying for license renewal were randomly assigned to four study groups. The subsequent driving performance of members of the four groups was monitored, and data on accidents, convictions for major and minor offenses, accidents with associated convictions, and administrative actions taken under provisions of the Virginia Driver Improvement Program were tabulated at 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month intervals. Of the few statistically significant differences found between the study groups, none demonstrated that knowledge testing is an effective means of promoting highway safety. Most of the differences observed involved the group who had refused to take the test at home. Except for the minor-conviction entries for this group, no comparisons showed differences across all four time periods. The overall results of the study produced no substantial evidence that knowledge testing should be required of the general license-renewal population. (Author)