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:
Department of Motor Vehicles
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111 | 1987/ 01 |
Accident and Conviction Rates of Visually Impaired Heavy Vehicle OperatorsThis study was designed to determine whether waiving the federal static acuity standard adversely impacted traffic safety. Drivers for whom the standard was waived could drive commercially only within California. Two-year accident and conviction rates of visually impaired commercial heavyvehicle operators (class 1 or 2 licensees) were compared to those of a sample of visually nonimpaired commercial heavy-vehicle operators. Nonimpaired drivers met current federal acuity standards (corrected acuity of 20/40 or better in both eyes), while impaired drivers had substandard static acuity and were classified as either moderately (corrected acuity between 20/40 and 20/200 in the worse eye) or severely (corrected acuity worse than 20/200 in the worse eye) impaired. California and total mileage estimates for Class 1 and Class 2 drivers obtained in a mailed questionnaire did not differ significantly between impairment groups. However, other potentially biasing factors remained and are discussed. Analysis of covariance, with age as a covariate, revealed that on subsequent two-year driver records the visually impaired drivers had significantly, and substantially, more total accidents and convictions than did the nonimpaired drivers. Severely impaired drivers had directionally worse driver records than did the moderately impaired drivers on three of the four traffic safety measures assessed, but these differences were not statistically significant. Study findings led to qualified support for the stricter federal standard, particularly in the case of the severely impaired heavy-vehicle operator. |
VI | |
| 112 | 1987/ 12 |
An Evaluation of the California Drunk Driving Countermeasure System: An Overview of Study Findings and Policy ImplicationsTo summarize the results and policy implications of seven-part study entitled An Evaluation of the Countermeasure System. a major federally funded California Drunk Driving |
III | |
| 113 | 1987/ 09 |
Traffic Violator School Dismissals: The Effects of Citation Masking on Accident-Risk Assessment and on the Volume of Department of Motor Vehicles’ License Control ActionsTo evaluate the effects of citation masking on accident-risk assessment and on the volume of Department of Motor Vehicles' license control actions. |
III | |
| 114 | 1987/ 12 |
Basic California Traffic Conviction and Accident Record FactsTo provide traffic safety administrators with information for developing program and policy decisions, and to provide information to the insurance industry and to scholars and researchers in traffic safety |
IV | |
| 116 | 1988/ 12 |
An Evaluation of the Traffic Safety Impact of Provisional LicensingTo evaluate the traffic safety impact of California's Provisional Driver License Program. The primary goal of the program is to reduce the rate of traffic accidents and traffic violations involving 15- through 17-year-olds in California. |
II | |
| 118 | 1989/ 02 |
The Effect of Renewal by Mail for Drivers with less than Four-Year-Clean Records (Final Report)To evaluate the traffic safety impact of allowing drivers with a two-year-clean record, but less than a four-year-clean record, to renew their licenses by mail. |
II | |
| 120 | 1989/ 07 |
Proof-of-Service Rates for Suspended or Revoked Drivers as a Function of Mailing Contact StrategyIn an attempt to increase proof rates, this study developed and evaluated a number of mailing strategies for various categories of suspension or revocation reason. |
III | |
| 121 | 1989/ 09 |
Development of a California DUI Management Information SystemTo develop the design specifications for a comprehensive California Dill management information system. |
V | |
| 122 | 1989/ 12 |
A Comparison of the Relative Effectiveness of Alternative Sanctions for DUI Offenders (Volume 1 of “Development of a DUI Accident and Recidivism Tracking System”)To develop a DUI data base for tracking accident and recidivism rates of first, second and third-or-more DUI drivers; to identify programs and sanctions associated with reduced accident and conviction rates, and to develop a system for detecting variation among counties in DUI sanctioning policy. |
III | |
| 123 | 1989/ 12 |
A Time Series Evaluation of the General Deterrent Effects of California’s 1982 DUI Legislative Reforms (Volume 2 of “Development of a DUI Recidivism Tracking System”)To evaluate the effect of a series of 1982 DUI legislative reforms in deterring drunk driving, as measured by the impact on alcohol-related fatal or injury accident rates. |
III |