Virtual Driving Assessment: Preparing Teens to Drive Safely
Motor vehicles crashes are a leading cause of death and injuries for young drivers. Research shows that the majority of these teen crashes are caused by driver error and poor driving skills.
To help prevent these crashes from occurring, CHOP offers a virtual driving assessment as part of routine adolescent care. This 15-minute simulated evaluation measures a teen’s ability to drive safely and avoid crashes, along with insights and resources to acquire the skills and experience needed to drive safely.
How the Virtual Driving Assessment works
Research has found that driving skills measured at the time of licensure on a virtual driving assessment can predict crash risk. By offering the assessment at most of our CHOP Primary Care Network locations, teens and their families can partner with their pediatrician to reduce crash risk and make practice driving more effective.
Teens may take the virtual driving assessment as part of a well visit, permit form visit (at CHOP primary care offices in Pennsylvania), or scheduled as a separate visit, free of charge. They can also take it more than once to check their progress and identify ways to continue improving.
Using a monitor, steering wheel and pedals, teens will encounter a variety of on-road situations most associated with young driver crashes: following other vehicles too closely, navigating curves, driving within posted speed limits, and managing intersections.
When they have completed the virtual drive, personalized feedback on their crash-avoidance skills and ways to improve are shared via email with families.
Identifying areas of concern and providing resources and tips to develop safer driving skills before teens drive independently is essential to reducing their crash risk. With a gift from NJM Insurance Group, CHOP is proud to offer virtual driving assessment as part of adolescent care.
Teens do NOT need to have their learner permit or probationary license to take the assessment.
How to schedule
To schedule, contact your CHOP primary care office to arrange for them to take the VDA at their next well visit or schedule as a separate visit.