When it comes to teen safety, understanding behavior is just as important as understanding rules or laws. TPB helps explain the factors that influence decision-making and provides a foundation for both program design and evaluation.
Impact Teen Drivers programs are informed by these principles, meaning education is intentionally designed to address the factors research shows are most likely to influence safer choices. At the same time, Impact Teen Drivers’ evaluation tools and surveys are grounded in TPB, allowing us to measure changes in these key predictors over time.
Together, program design and evaluation work hand in hand to support continuous improvement and accountability.
Attitudes reflect how a young person feels about a behavior and what outcomes they expect. When risky behaviors are viewed as harmless, manageable, or unlikely to cause harm, they are more likely to occur.
Impact Teen Drivers programs address attitudes by helping teens examine assumptions and understand real-world consequences. Interactive education, evidence-based data, and relatable scenarios encourage young people to reconsider beliefs about reckless and distracted driving and recognize that many serious outcomes are preventable through safer choices.
Perceived norms reflect what teens believe others expect of them and what they perceive as typical behavior. When risky actions appear common or accepted, safer choices can feel harder to make.
Impact Teen Drivers integrates Positive Community Norming to correct misperceptions and highlight that most teens value safety and want to protect themselves and others. Education reinforces safer behaviors as the norm and supports shared roadway responsibility across peers, families, and communities.
Perceived behavioral control refers to a young person’s confidence in their ability to make safer choices, even in challenging situations. Knowledge alone is not always enough if a teen feels unsure about how to respond in the moment.
Impact Teen Drivers programs emphasize skill-building and practical strategies, such as managing distractions, planning ahead, setting boundaries, and speaking up as a passenger. These tools help teens translate intentions into action.
Combining informed program design with grounded evaluation ensures education is intentional, measurable, and responsive.
Grounding evaluation in behavioral science allows Impact Teen Drivers to assess effectiveness, refine programs, and remain aligned with nationally recognized best practices.