Abstract
Learning to drive.... Why didn’t you tell me?
Abstracts of the 28th International Congress of Applied Psychology
International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP): From Crisis to Sustainable Well-Being, 28th (Paris, France, 08-Jul-2014–13-Jul-2014)
2014
Abstract
Young drivers aged 17-24 years are at the greatest risk of harm on the road during the first 6-12 months of independent driving. To minimise risk, countries such as Australia have introduced graduated driver licensing (GDL) as a form of exposure control by mandating additional driving conditions during Learner and Provisional licence (P1, P2) phases. In July 2007, Queensland introduced a considerably-enhanced GDL program. Whilst novice drivers are provided with road safety literature when gaining their novice licences, they have not been consulted regarding what they themselves felt they should know about GDL and driving more generally. The aim of the study was to determine what knowledge young drivers feel that they should have possessed before embarking on their novice driving careers. Young drivers from two high schools (41 State; 30 Catholic) participated in four 45-minute focus groups (37 Learners, 9 males; 34 Provisional, 14 males). A range of items were identified. Learners recommended confidence in their ability to become competent drivers, despite the fact that parents are likely to shout at them as they drive. Learners wished they knew they should start in simple environments like car-parks, and the best way to cope with daunting roundabouts was to start with single lane configurations. Learners advised that others should take the logbook requirement seriously by accumulating hours as soon as possible. Provisional drivers wished they knew just how expensive it was to run a vehicle. Provisional drivers identified a need to know what to do in the event of a crash, particularly handling interactions with insurers, Police, and the other driver. They also felt young drivers should revise GDL and general road rules as the theory test was at least one year earlier. Both Learners and Provisional drivers believed that they should be warned about the adverse behaviours of other drivers, such as tailgating and failing to follow the road rules. This study demonstrates that young drivers may be ill-equipped with the knowledge to learn to drive and to drive safely. Current road safety resources appear not to be meeting a number of specific needs of both Learners and Provisional drivers. Realistic advice for novice drivers and their parents regarding practicalities such as negotiating roundabouts, vehicle maintenance, and negotiating the risky behaviour of other drivers is recommended to enhance well-being for all.
Details
- Title
- Learning to drive.... Why didn’t you tell me?
- Authors
- Bridie Scott-Parker (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
- Publication details
- Abstracts of the 28th International Congress of Applied Psychology
- Conference details
- International Congress of Applied Psychology (ICAP): From Crisis to Sustainable Well-Being, 28th (Paris, France, 08-Jul-2014–13-Jul-2014)
- Publisher
- International Association for Applied Psychology (IAAP)
- Date published
- 2014
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2014 The Author. Reproduced with permission.
- 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
- 99449318602621
- Output Type
- Abstract
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