The University of Iowa Obermann Center for Advanced Studies will host an Obermann Afternoons Talk, “Integrating Public Health with Engineering to Improve Teen Driving Safety,” Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. in the Obermann Center, 111 Church St. across from the UI president's house.

The talk is free and open to the public. Corinne Peek-Asa, a professor in Occupational and Environmental Health, and Daniel McGehee, a director with the UI Public Policy Center, will speak about a collaborative study that integrates communication theory, health behavior motivation, and engineering to safely transition teens to independent driving.

Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death for teenagers, as well as a leading cause of disability and psychological trauma. One of the challenges with teen drivers is that they begin unsupervised driving at the same time that they are developmentally programmed to push boundaries. The decision to drive safely thus ultimately resides with the teen, but safety behaviors can be strongly influenced with developmentally appropriate guidance, particularly through parents.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to attend this event, or would like more information, contact Jennifer New in advance at 319-335-4034 or at jennifer-new@uiowa.edu.