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:
Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NRN086 | 1996/ 01 |
The Relationship Between Age-Related Functional Disability and Road SafetyTo define the relationship between aging and safe driving for use by General Motors and NHTSA in establishing research funding priorities. |
VI | |
| 49 | 1974/ 07 |
The Psychometric Prediction of Negligent Driver RecidivismTo determine whether the subsequent driving record of problem drivers could be predicted following a group driver improvement meeting, and to assess the contribution of psychometric and personality test variables in improving prediction. |
IV | |
| 244 | 2013/ 10 |
THE PROBLEM OF SUSPENDED AND REVOKED DRIVERS WHO AVOID DETECTION AT DUI/LICENSE CHECKPOINTSAlthough driver license suspension and revocation have been shown to improve traffic safety, suspended or revoked (SR) drivers who continue to drive—which appears to be the majority— are about three times more likely to be involved in crashes and to cause a fatal crash. The purpose of this study was to estimate the extent to which these drivers avoid detection at driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) and license checkpoints because they illegally possess a physical license. Method. Law enforcement used electronic identification card readers at DUI/License checkpoints in Sacramento, California to record data for 13,705 drivers for purposes of estimating the extent to which SR drivers avoid detection. Differences in detection as a function of the reason for suspension or revocation were also investigated. Results. Although only 3% of the drivers contacted at the checkpoints were SR, about 41% of SR drivers were able to pass through undetected because they presented valid-looking licenses that should not have been in their possession. Drivers SR for DUI-related reasons were more likely to be detected, whereas those SR for failure to provide proof of financial responsibility were less likely to be detected. Discussion. The fact that many SR drivers were able to pass through DUI/License checkpoints undetected indicates a loophole in the traffic safety countermeasure system that needs to be addressed, because it undermines the efficacy of suspension/revocation and checkpoint countermeasures. Recommendations for improving licensing agency suspension orders and checkpoint screening methods are provided. |
V | |
| 50 | 1974/ 01 |
The Prediction of Driving Record Following Driver Improvement ContactsTo construct prediction equations for post-contact driving records based on three data sources-prior driving record, driver questionnaire responses, and driver improvement analyst (DIA) interview information. |
IV | |
| NRN042 | 1968/ 07 |
The Prediction of Driver Behavior Subsequent to Receipt of Official Letters of ReprimandTo isolate factors that predict the quality of a driver's record following receipt of various styles of warning letters. |
IV | |
| 39 | 1973/ 03 |
The Prediction of Accident Liability through Biographical Data and Psychometric TestsTo evaluate the role of human factors in traffic accidents. |
IV | |
| NRN039 | 1967/ 07 |
The Measurement of Warning Letters on Two Dimensions: Threat and IntimacyTo develop letters that vary in the degree of threat and intimacy of style for use with negligent drivers. |
IV | |
| 90 | 1984/ 04 |
The Long-Term Traffic Safety Impact of Pilot Alcohol Abuse Treatment as an Alternative to License Suspensions (Volume 2 of “An Evaluation of the California Drunk Driving Countermeasure System”)To evaluate the long-term traffic safety effects of participating in a Senate Bill (SB) 330 drunk driver program in lieu of receiving a mandatory license suspension or revocation. |
III | |
| NRN058 | 1993/ 01 |
The Identification of Multiple Accident Correlates in High Risk Drivers with Specific Emphasis on the Role of Age, Experience & Prior Traffic Violation FrequencyTo summarize the state of current knowledge on multiple risk factors among driver accident correlates. |
IV | |
| NRN056 | 1992/ 01 |
The Identification of High-Risk Target GroupsTo advice the federal government (NHTSA) on traffic safety priorities and risk identification strategy. |
IV |