Conference presentation
Young novice drivers-whassup?
USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2013
Abstract
Background: In Australia in 2011, young drivers aged 16-25 years comprised 13% of the population but contributed 22% of the crash fatalities. Research was undertaken to explore the young driver's experiences as a Learner and Provisional 1 driver, and to identify the nature and mechanisms of social (parent, peers, Police) and structural (graduated driver licensing, GDL) influences upon driver behaviour to inform the design of more effective countermeasures.Methods: Research comprised small group interviews (n = 21) and Queensland-wide surveys (n1 = 761, n2 = 1170, n3 = 390); surveys two and three part of a six-month longitudinal study. Results: The experiences of young drivers in the post-July 2007 GDL program were compared to those of the former program, with significantly greater, and less difficulty gaining, practice reported by current-GDL Learners. The Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale improved the understanding of young driver behaviours; behaviours pertaining to transient violations, fixed violations, misjudgement, risky driving exposure, and driver mood. Parental, peer, and Police influences were evident across pre-Licence, Learner and Provisional periods, with a lack of punishment in particular perceived as rewarding by the young driver. Implications: Interventions enhancing the positive influence of parents and peers are likely to improve road safety outcomes not only for young drivers, but for all persons who share the road with them. Parent targeted interventions warranting further development and evaluation include modelling safe driving behaviour; monitoring of driving during the pre-Licence, Learner and Provisional periods; and sharing the family vehicle during the first six months of independent licensure. Peer targeted interventions include minimisation of social reinforcement and promotion of social sanctions for risky driving behaviour in particular. Random deployment of Police enforcement operations are also recommended, as is the consideration of additional sanctions for supervisors complicit in the risky and illegal behaviour of the Learner driver
Details
- Title
- Young novice drivers-whassup?
- Authors
- Bridie Scott-Parker (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Arts and Business
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2013 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 01-Jul-2013–05-Jul-2013)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2013
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2013 the author. Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder.
- 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
- 99449024002621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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