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Continuing

Education Program

For more than 20 years, we have been an accredited provider of continuing education programs for insurance and legal professionals.

We offer more than 250 continuing education presentations on a wide and growing range of topics. Presentations are typically offered at no cost and customizable based on client group size and location.

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RESOURCE CENTER

Taillight BrightnessResponse
July 8, 2025

When Dim Lights Deceive: How Taillight Brightness Affects Driver Perception

A car is driving at night, following another vehicle. The driver can see the taillights ahead, and everything seems fine. But suddenly, they crash into the car in front. Later,โ€ฆ
How Taillight Width Affects Driver PerceptionResponse
July 7, 2025

Lights Can Play Tricks: How Taillightsโ€™s Width Affect Driver Perception

Driving at night is risky for many reasons, including fatigue, speeding, or distraction. So, when a driver rear-ends another vehicle in the dark, itโ€™s easy to assume one of thoseโ€ฆ
Scientific Measurement of Driver ResponseResponse
June 25, 2025

Why Driver Response Time Should Always Be Measured Scientifically

One of the most important questions in a traffic collision investigation is: โ€œDid the driver respond in time?โ€ In many crashes, the outcome hinges on how quickly a driver noticedโ€ฆ

Published Papers

While we cover many areas of research our published papers are focused across Driver Response Times and Nighttime Recognition.

Published Papers

MORE PEER-REVIEWED RESEARCH THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

Published Papers

While we cover many areas of research our published papers are focused across Driver Response Times and Nighttime Recognition.

Driver response time in cut-off scenarios from the Second Strategic Highway Research Program Naturalistic Database

Transportation research record
2676 (2), 706-717

Swaroop Dinakar, Jeffrey W Muttart, Darlene E Edewaard, Michael Giannone, Connor Dickson (2022)

Driversโ€™ Responses to Lead Vehicles: Thresholds for Triggering an Emergency Response, Age Differences, Crash Risks, and Influence of Secondary Task Engagement

SAE Technical Paper, 01-0898

Jeffrey Muttart, Swaroop Dinakar, Darlene Edewaard (2021)

Factors that Influence Drivers' Responses to Slower-Moving or Stopped Lead Vehicles

SAE Technical Paper, 01-0890

JW Muttart, M Kuzel, S Dinakar, S Gernhard-Macha (2021)

Podcasts and Videos

Welcome to Response

Response Overview

Angular Path Intrusion

ON-DEMAND CONTENT

Scientific Methods to Evaluate a Driver Response

Comparative Approach Backed By Numbers

  • Eliminate bias from your analysis
  • Donโ€™t try to read the mind of the driver
  • Donโ€™t use a random or โ€œaverageโ€ number โ€“ every crash is different
  • Apply the research to the fact and circumstances of your case

As crash investigators, it is essential to analyze every crash with a sound and accepted methodology. This presentation discusses how to apply a time-honored methodology when analyzing a driverโ€™s response. The methodology involves comparing a given data point (your case) to a larger dataset (all peer reviewed research). Following this methodology allows an investigator to assess the behavior of a driver relative to how other drivers responded in a similar situation from research.

Upcoming Events & Webinars

Driver Research Institute actively engages in industry events and hosts informative webinars, sharing valuable knowledge about human factors. Through our participation and educational initiatives, we consistently work to contribute to the field, promote understanding, and empower others with insights into this crucial discipline.

ON-DEMAND EVENTS

Basic Human Factors in Crash Reconstruction

This course is designed to introduce crash investigators, technicians, and crash reconstructionist to various driver response research in emergency situations as well as introduce them to research dealing with non-immediate...
Browse our upcoming events and register today!

What the Data tells Us About Human Factors & Driver Response

We have conducted more scientific research into driver, rider and pedestrian response (forensics) than anyone else in the field. From test tracks to simulator and naturalistic studies.

We have processed data out of SHRP2 across 3500 automobiles, 1000 crashes and 3500 near crashes in addition to peer review journals and the numerous conferences we attend. The best research takes research by others and builds upon it. We of course also author our own research and are notified when others cite ours.

Car driven in snow and rains

What the Data tells Us About Human Factors & Driver Response.

We have conducted more scientific research into driver, rider and pedestrian response (forensics) than anyone else in the field. From test tracks to simulator and naturalistic studies.

We have processed data out of SHRP2 across 3500 automobiles, 1000 crashes and 3500 near crashes in addition to peer review journals and the numerous conferences we attend. The best research takes research by others and builds upon it. We of course also author our own research and are notified when others cite ours.

Approach

Interested in Working with us?

From private consulting to software and training, along with our events and seminars, let us know how we can help you.

Interested in Working with us?

From private consulting to software and training, along with our events and seminars, let us know how we can help you.

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