Initiative details
Young people are very sensitive to a wide range of environmental stimuli. For this reason, they also find it difficult to concentrate exclusively on the driving task. This is reflected, among other things, in increased distraction by smartphones and other secondary activities while driving.
Around a third of all accidents in Austria are caused by distraction. Distraction is also the number one cause of accidents among young road users aged 15 to 19.
For this reason, the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV) developed a workshop with a focus on grades 9 to 13, which deals with distraction in road traffic in two teaching units. The workshop content focuses on the attitude and knowledge level of young drivers and passengers.
The workshop aims to raise awareness that distraction while driving can increase the accident risk. Furthermore, participants should gain appropriate prevention strategies.
Around a third of all accidents in Austria are caused by distraction. Distraction is also the number one cause of accidents among young road users aged 15 to 19.
For this reason, the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV) developed a workshop with a focus on grades 9 to 13, which deals with distraction in road traffic in two teaching units. The workshop content focuses on the attitude and knowledge level of young drivers and passengers.
The workshop aims to raise awareness that distraction while driving can increase the accident risk. Furthermore, participants should gain appropriate prevention strategies.
Initiative date
Who was/is your target audience?
Young adults 17-25
Topic
Education in school or in community organizations
Organisation details
KFV Sicherheit-Service GmbH
Enterprise
Austria
Vienna
Contact name
Stefan Gröchenig
Telephone number
+43 5 77 077 2850
stefan.groechenig@kfv.at
Website link
Project activities
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
The workshop is offered free of charge to schools and lasts two teaching units per class. The concept is based on the internationally successful P.A.R.T.Y. prevention program, which shows students the drastic consequences of distractive behaviour in traffic. The central element of the workshop is a short video that includes interviews with an accident driver, the passenger involved and representatives of the rescue chain, respectively a firefighter and a trauma surgeon. In addition to general information on distraction in traffic, experiences related to distracted driving will be addressed in order to subsequently develop alternative behaviours with the students.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
The topic of distraction in road traffic generally generates great interest among schools, hence the demand is very high. The KFV Sicherheit-Service GmbH is an experienced provider of external training programms for schools. Therefore, there were no issues with the implementation of the new workshop.
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
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Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
Before the workshop could be officially booked, it was tested and evaluated in 4 school classes. A total of 83 students aged between 15 and 19 participated in these workshops
Overall, 93% of students (n=83) rated the workshop as Very Good to Good. The average grade was 1.7. The excellent rating applies regardless of whether the participants drive themselves or only ride along (average rating of 1.8). In terms of content, the workshop appears to be appropriate from the perspective of participating students. Only 5 participants (6%) felt that there was nothing new for them in the workshop.
From the moderator’s perspective, the film on distraction and the group work activities were particularly well-received, which was confirmed by the feedback from the students.
Overall, 93% of students (n=83) rated the workshop as Very Good to Good. The average grade was 1.7. The excellent rating applies regardless of whether the participants drive themselves or only ride along (average rating of 1.8). In terms of content, the workshop appears to be appropriate from the perspective of participating students. Only 5 participants (6%) felt that there was nothing new for them in the workshop.
From the moderator’s perspective, the film on distraction and the group work activities were particularly well-received, which was confirmed by the feedback from the students.
What has been the effect of the activities?
The results of the evaluation indicate that there was already a strong awareness of distraction while driving among both drivers and passengers before the workshop. Fortunately, participating students still gained knowledge during the workshop. Additionally, the intention not to be distracted while driving in the future, whether as a driver or passenger, has generally improved. In combination with the strategies developed during the workshop to prevent distraction in traffic, it can be assumed that a solid foundation for more conscious participation in traffic with less distraction by smartphones or other devices has been established.
In 2024, 147 workshops with a total of 2,400 participants have been held so far, with a further 49 planned. 200 workshops are planned for the coming year.
In 2024, 147 workshops with a total of 2,400 participants have been held so far, with a further 49 planned. 200 workshops are planned for the coming year.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
Many accidents resulting in fatalities and serious injuries could be avoided through more attentive driving. Awareness-building measures, such as the described workshop, can draw attention to the issue of distracted behaviour in traffic and prompt reconsideration of any misconduct.
However, it’s important to note that producing the film used in the workshop is both time-consuming and costly. This factor should be taken into account when planning similar activities in other countries.
However, it’s important to note that producing the film used in the workshop is both time-consuming and costly. This factor should be taken into account when planning similar activities in other countries.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
The KFV Sicherheit-Service GmbH is a well-known provider of school workshops. Active promotion at schools is therefore not necessary. Schools can book all activities directly through the website https://www.kfv-aktionen.at.
Supporting materials
