USF study wants to pay you to drive like you normally do

Think about how much time you spend behind the wheel of your vehicle, and now think about getting paid to sit behind the wheel of your vehicle.

USF researchers are looking to pay drivers to be a part of a study on local driving habits.

Study participant Karen Walker is participating in the largest coordinated safety program in the U.S. and she's doing it just by driving her car.

"I think I'm going to go about my day," Walker said. "I don't think there's going to be anything new, or different, or strange."

Walker is one of abour 250 participants who agreed to allow researchers at USF to watch their every move behind the wheel.

"I'm glad to participate, because I think it would be good if they can make cars that have more safety features and that are geared to the way that people really drive," Walker said.

Dr. Achilleas Kourtellis coordinates the Tampa effort.

"This is in their own car, in their own environment, on their own time.  They do as they would do normally and we just observe what's going on," Dr. Kourtellis said.

Tampa is one of six cities gathering driving data for the Strategic Highway Research Program.

Tthe equipment that's installed in your vehicle not only sees you, it sees your hands, even your feet. It even knows how many people are in your car.

Reseachers needs about 200 more people to take part in the survey before the end of the year.

The study pays $25 a month until the end of the study. The study is expected to run for two years.

If you are interested, call 877-495-1556 or email study@shrp2nds.us and reference “Naturalistic Driving Study.”