Conference presentation
"My Dad freaks out!” What Learner drivers want their parents to know
USC Research Conference, 2014 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 14-Jul-2014–18-Jul-2014)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2014
Abstract
Background: Young drivers are at considerable risk of injury and fatality during the earliest years of independent driving. Multistage licensing programs, such as graduated driver licensing (GDL), have been implemented in numerous jurisdictions as a form of exposure control, mandating minimum practice periods and driving restrictions such as night driving and passenger limits. However, the young driver's experiences of GDL during the Learner phase, and the driving advice they recommend be shared with their parents, remains unknown at this time. Research aims: Explore the experience of young Learner drivers, and their advice for parents in particular. Methods: Thirty-seven Learner drivers (aged 16-18 years; 9 males) from two high schools (one private, one public) participated in 45-minute group discussions. Research findings: Two themes emerged: (1) learning to drive and (2) supervision of the learner driver. A wealth of experiences and advice pertaining to the sub-themes of supervisor behaviour, GDL, road environment, vehicle logistics and interacting with other road users were shared by Learners. Numerous recommendations are made pertaining to each sub-theme, such as clear instruction and feedback, tips for negotiating complex infrastructure, and normalising of outcomes like stalled vehicles when first learning to drive. Conclusions: The wealth of experiences and advice shared by the Learner drivers should be considered in refining the content and process of the Learner licence phase. Moreover, it appears that parents require additional support, particularly in relation to when they first start to supervise their young Learner driver.
Details
- Title
- "My Dad freaks out!” What Learner drivers want their parents to know
- Authors
- Bridie Scott-Parker (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2014 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 14-Jul-2014–18-Jul-2014)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2014
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2014 The Author.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Law and Society; Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448789402621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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