Abstract
"They assume like you are doing something wrong": Young drivers and Police
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
Introduction: Young drivers (17-24 years, provisional licence) are a considerable public health concern due to their persistent overrepresentation in car crashes despite a plethora of intervention. Enforced legislation of general road rules (e.g., mandatory seat belts, maximum blood alcohol concentration), in addition to enforcement of rules and conditions incorporated within graduated driver licensing legislation, appear to be the most effective intervention to date. However, much remains unknown regarding young drivers' interactions with Police as the formal enforcers of legislation. The aim of the study was to explore the nature and effects of these interactions. Method Eleven young drivers (18-24 years, M = 19.8 years, 6 males) with a Provisional licence participated in three focus groups exploring their interactions with Police. Results Participants believed that Police had a difficult job and that the young drivers' behaviours at the time of the interaction influenced the outcome (i.e., ticket vs no ticket). Male participants reported feeling targeted simply because of their greater contribution to road crash fatalities, and both genders perceived a divide in Police enforcement activities with officers being more lenient on females. Interactions with Police outside of the driving environment influenced the participant's perceptions in general including on the road, and observations of Police undertaking illegal behaviour further undermined their authority and negatively impacted upon the young driver's intentions to comply with road rules. Effects of both general and specific deterrence also were diminished by personal and vicarious experiences of punishment avoidance. Implications There are considerable implications for deterrence-based intervention in the realm of young driver road safety, ranging from the need for broader perceptions of equity and fairness in enforcement activities; the risks associated with experience of punishment avoidance; and the impacts of off-road enforcement activities upon the risky driving behaviour of young drivers. Police should also strive to be optimal role models of safe driving behaviour at all times, thus being consistent in the messages transmitted to youth as they negotiate the most risky time of their driving careers not only for themselves but for their passengers and all others who share the road with them to well-being for all.
Details
- Title
- "They assume like you are doing something wrong": Young drivers and Police
- Authors
- Bridie Scott-Parker (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and BusinessLyndel Bates (Author) - Queensland University of Technology
- 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
- 99449203902621
- Output Type
- Abstract
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