Research Studies & Reports
DMV’s Research & Development Branch has been conducting research and producing studies and reports since the 1950s. Research & Development reports help DMV to measure the impact of new laws on making drivers safer. We also identify areas where we can improve our processes, explore new approaches to solving existing problems, and branch out into new opportunities to serve you better.
Studies & Reports Sections
Studies and reports are assigned to a Section that best describes the type of report. Click on a section title below to see a short description.
I. Driver Education & Training Studies
II. Driver Licensing Screening Studies
III. Studies on Improvement and Control of Deviant Drivers
IV. Basic Research & Methodological Studies: Driver Performance, Accident Etiology, Prediction Models, and Actuarial Applications
V. Driver Licensing / Control Systems & Safety Management Studies
VI. Studies on Special Driver Populations
VII. Miscellaneous Studies & Reports
Request printed copies of studies and reports by mail at:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Research and Development Branch
2415 1st Ave. Mail Station: F-126
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 914-8125
Please include the report number, the number of copies requested, and your name, address, and phone number.
| Report ID | Date Published | Title | Section | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 202 | 2003/ 03 |
Development and Evaluation of a Risk Management Strategy for Reducing Crash RiskThe goal of this project was to develop a strategy for maximizing the number of traffic crashes prevented by tailoring educational, rehabilitative, and license control interventions to identifiable high-risk problem driver groups. Regression models were applied to a random sample of licensed California drivers with the objective of identifying groups of drivers with elevated risks of being involved in future traffic crashes. The driving records of the risk groups identified from the models were examined to identify drivers not receiving any form of driver improvement or license control actions. The risk levels of these identified "untreated" drivers were compared with negligent operators who have received licensing actions to determine how existing discretionary and mandatory actions correlate with traffic safety risk. The defining characteristics of high-risk drivers escaping driver improvement or license control actions were examined in an attempt to construct a recommended set of countermeasures. The potential utility of these countermeasures in terms of crash reduction and benefit-cost ratios was estimated based on prior research evidence and mathematical simulation. In examining the defining characteristics of high-risk groups that currently escape driver improvement interventions, the majority was characterized either by TVS dismissals, citations, or crashes. These elements often combine with each other and with other risk factors to increase crash risk beyond that of drivers who meet the state’s prima facie definition of a "negligent operator." It is noted that there are two fundamental considerations for constructing a countermeasure system: (1) the countermeasures must be economically and operationally feasible, and (2) they must be legally permissible. Therefore, this study recommends interventions involving minimal expense, no in-person contact with DMV personnel, and no license-control actions. |
IV | |
| 28.1 | 1968/ 07 |
An Abstract of the California Motorcycle Study – Driver and Accident CharacteristicsTo evaluate the extent of the motorcycle problem and pinpoint possible problem areas which could be explored by future research. |
IV | |
| 28 | 1968/ 07 |
The California Motorcycle Study – Driver and Accident CharacteristicsTo evaluate the extent of the motorcycle problem and pinpoint possible problem areas which could be explored by future research. |
IV | |
| 33 | 1970/ 07 |
Prediction of Driving Behavior Following a Group Driver Improvement SessionTo determine the extent to which driving record subsequent to a driver improvement meeting could be predicted from a personality test and biographical questionnaire. |
IV | |
| 34.1 | 1970/ 06 |
An Abstract of Traffic Violations by Type, Age, Sex, and Marital StatusTo examine how the distribution of violation types varies with such basic demographic variables as age, sex, and marital status. |
IV | |
| 43 | 1973/ 05 |
Questionnaire Techniques in Traffic Safety Research: A Digest of California Department of Motor Vehicles’ ExperienceTo compile experiences concerning phases of studies dealing with questionnaires. |
IV | |
| 76 | 1980/ 10 |
Design and Evaluation of a Crash Prediction StrategyTo define and validate a method of identifying groups of high-risk drivers which yields a more effective crash prediction model than the Department's negligent-operator (neg-op) point system. |
IV | |
| NRN045 | 1971/ 01 |
A Position Paper on Accident Proneness and Driver-Oriented Safety ModelsTo advance the state of knowledge regarding accident proneness theory. |
IV | |
| NRN046 | 1972/ 05 |
The Development and Evaluation of Accident Countermeasures in Driver Licensing AgenciesTo add to the fund of knowledge concerning accident countermeasures. |
IV | |
| NRN049 | 1976/ 01 |
Toward a Dynamic System of Driver Improvement Program EvaluationTo advance knowledge in the area of program evaluation as it specifically applies to driver improvement. |
IV |