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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 205 | 2003/ 05 |
Evaluation of California’s Graduated Driver Licensing ProgramCalifornia’s 1998 graduated driver licensing program was implemented to reduce the high crash risk of teenage drivers. Monthly per capita crash rates for 15-to-17-year-olds were analyzed using time series analysis. No overall reduction in total crashes or fatal/injury crashes was found immediately following program implementation or beginning 6 months later. The 12-month nighttime restriction was associated with significant sudden-permanent reductions of 0.44% in total crashes and marginally significant 0.45%in nighttime fatal/injury crashes. The 6-month passenger restriction was associated with reductions of 2.52% and 6.43% in total and fatal/injury teen passenger crashes, respectively. The fact that no overall reductions in crashes, and only small reductions in crashes associated with the restrictions, were found isnot surprising given findings that teens and parents were either already practicing program requirementsprior to implementation, or not fully complying with the program requirements afterwards. The findings provide support for passenger and nighttime restrictions. |
II | |
| 206 | 2004/ 01 |
2004 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA DUI MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMIn this thirteenth annual legislatively mandated report, 2001 and 2002 DUI data from diverse sources were compiled and cross-referenced for the purpose of developing a single comprehensive DUI data reference and monitoring system. This report presents crosstabulated information on DUI arrests, convictions, court sanctions, administrative actions and alcoholinvolved accidents. In addition, this report provides 1-year proportions of DUI recidivism and accident rates for first and second DUI offenders arrested in each year over a time period of twelve years. Also, the long-term recidivism curves of the cumulative proportions of DUI reoffenses are shown for all DUI offenders arrested in 1994. Analyses were conducted on the effectiveness of alcohol education programs upon the 1-year postconviction records of those convicted of the reduced charge of alcohol-related reckless driving, and on the effectiveness of the 3-month versus 6-month alcohol education programs on the 1-year postconviction records of first offenders. |
V | |
| 207 | 2004/ 01 |
Teenage Driver Risks and InterventionsCalifornia teenage drivers aged 16-19-years-old have extremely high per capita and mileage-adjusted crash and traffic violation rates. This report summarizes the literature regarding the risk factors involved in their high crash rates, as well as the countermeasures that have been used in California and elsewhere to reduce their high crash risk. Although some portion of teenage crash involvements can be accounted for by poorer basic vehicle handling skills, the research suggests that it is young drivers’ immaturity and inexperience, and the resultant risk-taking, that contribute most to their increased crash risk. Certain driving conditions, such as nighttime driving and transporting young passengers, are particularly high risk for teen drivers. The higher crash rates for teens associated with the use of alcohol and drugs may mostly be the result of a general pattern of risky behavior. The countermeasures used to reduce the crash risk of teen drivers that are discussed in this report include driver improvement programs, driver education and training, special licensing programs for teens (provisional and graduated licensing), BAC limits, and curfew laws. |
VI | |
| 208 | 2004/ 04 |
Department of Motor Vehicles Post-Licensing Control Management Information System Fiscal Year 2002/2003This is the second periodic management information system (MIS) report regarding the operations of the Department of Motor Vehicles’ (DMV) Administrative Per Se license suspension program. |
V | |
| 209 | 2004/ 05 |
Characteristics of Negligent Operators in CaliforniaThis report presents descriptive information on the demographic characteristics and driving behaviorsof drivers who received the four levels of treatment within California’s negligent operator treatmentsystem (NOTS).Risk profiles are calculated for each treatment level by using historical information on their numbersand types of traffic accidents and convictions resulting in their assignment to the NOTS treatmentlevels. In addition, a risk profile is developed for a random sample of California drivers to facilitate abaseline for the four levels of NOTS treated drivers. |
III | |
| 210 | 2004/ 09 |
AN EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF IGNITION INTERLOCK IN CALIFORNIAThis study is one of two studies of ignition interlock in California mandated by the California Legislature (AB 762). The first study, published in 2002, was a process evaluation that examined the degree to which ignition interlock has been implemented in California. This current study is an outcome evaluation that examines the effectiveness of ignition interlock in reducing alcohol-related crashes and convictions, and crashes overall (alcohol and nonalcohol). The results of the study show that interlock works for some offenders in some contexts, but not for all offenders in all situations. More specifically, ignition interlock devices work best when they are installed, although there is also some evidence that judicial orders to install an interlock are effective for repeat DUI offenders, even when not all offenders comply and install a device. California’s administrative program, where repeat DUI offenders install an interlock device in order to obtain restricted driving privileges, is also associated with reductions in subsequent DUI incidents. One group for whom ignition interlock orders do not appear effective is first DUI offenders with high blood alcohol levels. |
V | |
| 211 | 2005/ 01 |
2005 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA DUI MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMIn this fourteenth annual legislatively mandated report, 2002 and 2003 DUI data from diverse sources were compiled and cross-referenced for the purpose of developing a single comprehensive DUI data reference and monitoring system. This report presents crosstabulated information on DUI arrests, convictions, court sanctions, administrative actions and alcoholinvolved accidents. In addition, this report provides 1-year proportions of DUI recidivism and accident rates for first and second DUI offenders arrested in each year over a time period of thirteen years. Also, the long-term recidivism curves of the cumulative proportions of DUI reoffenses are shown for all DUI offenders arrested in 1994. Analyses were conducted on the effectiveness of alcohol education programs upon the 1-year postconviction records of those convicted of the reduced charge of alcohol-related reckless driving, and on the effectiveness of the 3-month versus 6-month alcohol education programs on the 1-year postconviction records of first offenders. The proportions of 2002 convicted first and second offenders who completed their alcohol education/treatment program requirement are also presented. |
V | |
| 212 | 2004/ 09 |
Enhancing the Alcohol and Drugs Component Of the Statewide Driver Education CurriculumAlcohol-involved crash data show that young drivers are nearly two times more likely to be in an alcohol-involved fatal or injury crash than are all drivers in general. One important way of preventing alcohol-involved motor vehicle crashes is to provide a comprehensive and accurate education to new drivers about the known risks of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Over 250,000 students per year are guided by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Statewide Driver Education Curriculum. Yet, serious deficiencies have been identified in the original curriculum component covering alcohol and drug education. This project was undertaken to revise the curriculum to correct specific deficiencies, add missing topic areas, and update remaining issue areas that were already included in the curriculum. The final product is a comprehensive state of knowledge alcohol education curriculum component that is being incorporated into the Statewide Driver Education curriculum. |
I | |
| 213 | 2005/ 03 |
PILOT EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO HIGH-RISK ELDERLY DRIVERSOver 40,000 Class 3 drivers aged 70 or more who had some traffic incidents on their driving records, but not so many as to make them "negligent operators" under California law, were randomly divided into four groups. One group received educational material (pamphlets, brochures) relating to older driver traffic safety, a resource list of Internet addresses and phone numbers for driving- or elder-oriented organizations, a questionnaire, and a cover letter. A second received only the resource list, questionnaire, and cover letter, while a third received the questionnaire and cover letter, and the fourth was not contacted in any way. There was no significant effect on either subsequent crashes or traffic convictions as a function of the amount of material sent. For the questionnaire, group return rates ranged from 43% to 62%, and several differences were found among the respondents consistent with greater knowledge among those who were sent the educational material. The report ends with a discussion of lessons learned with respect to surveying people—and elderly people specifically—and includes voluminous appendices containing, in part, much of the educational material, the resource list, a presentation of respondent group attitudes toward DMV, and illustrative pages from DMV's new Senior Web Site. |
VI | |
| 214 | 2005/ 06 |
Department of Motor Vehicles Post-Licensing Control Management Information System Fiscal Year 2003/2004This report is issued as an internal monograph of the California Department of Motor Vehicles’ Research and Development Branch. |
V |