Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Brake
PSYCHOMETRIC TESTING
FOR DRIVERS
Psychometrics is the science of measuring human
qualities reliably and validly based on proven psychological principles.
Psychometric testing attempts to measure people's traits, abilities,
skills, and interests. This type of testing is used by some to
assess driver risk. Responses to questions reveal the attitudes
and behaviours that underly driver risk. Norms are established
to determine a standard profile. This is used as a benchmark against
which all respondents are judged to be more or less in possession
of the critical characteristics. The way in which a driver scores
on all these characteristics determines his or her level of risk
of being involved in a collision.
Brake believes that research is needed to examine
whether this type of assessment could be incorporated into the
driving test to help reduce crashes among novice drivers.
As mentioned in Brake's oral evidence, a number
of fleet operators currently use psychometric testing as a way
of assessing driver risk and tailoring training and other fleet
safety measures accordingly.
Please see below for some of the assessment
systems currently in use:
— DriverMetrics is a company which
offers psychometric testing for fleet, bus and emergency service
drivers. Developed by Cranfield University, the testing system
used by driver metrics is called the Driver Risk Index.
It assesses drivers' level of risk on the road, which takes into
account behavioural and attitudinal factors, including those linked
to stress. Clients of DriverMetrics include:
— Association of National Driver
Improvement Service Providers (ANDISP)
— West Midlands Fire Service
— Devon & Cornwall Constabulary
— Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS
Trust
— Crawford Scientific(tm) Ltd
The research director for DriverMetrics is Dr
Lisa Dorn, Cranfield University, Tel: +44 (0) 1234 758229, E:
l.dorn@drivermetrics.co.uk.
— Interactive Driving Systems,
a research-led provider of global fleet risk management solutions,
has developed an online driver risk assessment called RoadRISK
that helps companies identify which drivers are most at risk of
collisions, and tailor interventions accordingly. Clients of Interactive
Driver Systems include:
— The Royal Society for the Prevention
of Accidents' (RoSPA) Driver Risk Assessment Software is
an assessment which provides organisations with a better idea
of their drivers' strengths and weaknesses in relation to safety.
It helps managers to decide an appropriate level of training for
each individual as required, to target any weaknesses.
Psychometric testing has also recently been
used for rehabilitating driving offenders.
For example, Thames Valley Police runs a speed
awareness workshop for people caught speeding. The workshop was
developed by Reading University psychology professor, Frank McKenna.
It is a computer-based programme featuring a questionnaire to
assess drivers' behaviour. Participants are also shown video sequences
where they are required to spot hazards or state at which speed
they would drive in different scenarios. A risk profile for the
participant is built up, including their likelihood of speeding,
tailgating, using driving as an emotional outlet and susceptibility
to fatigue. Feedback on the risk profile is given to the participants,
with advice tailored to reducing the risks. The programme has
also been adapted for use in companies. Information on both programmes
is available at www.perceptionandperformance.com.
The perception and performance programme was
developed by Dr Frank McKenna, University of Reading, Tel: 0118
987 5123, E: f.p.mckenna@reading.ac.uk.
25 April 2007
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