Files and links (1)
Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Bystanding to prevent drink-driving: Young adults’ descriptions of factors that promote and restrict their behavior
Journal of Safety Research, Vol.96, pp.285-291
2026
Abstract
Introduction: Drink driving remains a leading contributor to motor-vehicle fatalities. For young adults, a sizeable proportion of their drinking is with friends, who may have opportunity to plan ahead or potentially intervene and speak up against drink-driving. We sought to explore young adults’ preventive behaviors toward friends and the potential relevance for the classic Latané and Darley social psychology theory of bystander intervention. Method: Across two studies we interviewed 63, 18–25-year-old Australians, using semi-structured interview schedules (approximately 30–45 min). Study 1 focused on experiences and perception of driving the day after drinking; and study 2 explored online communication about drink-driving. Exploration in both studies considered strategies used to support friends and prevent drink-driving. We used a deductive theory-guided approach considering: perceptions and interpretation of risk/ danger around drink-driving, a sense of responsibility, and having the confidence to enact a prevention strategy with friends. In addition, an inductive approach was employed to explore descriptions of protective behavior. Results: The bystander theory provided an appropriate conceptualization with findings highlighting consideration of noticing and interpreting drink-driving as harmful. Findings highlighted that young adults value looking out for their friends and to a lesser extent described considerations of the challenges they had in supporting their friends. Conclusions: The descriptions provided by young adults highlight nuance and considerations made in attempts to reduce the likelihood of drink-driving. The theory provided structure to findings and highlights potential considerations in attempts to promote bystander intervention among young adults.
Details
- Title
- Bystanding to prevent drink-driving: Young adults’ descriptions of factors that promote and restrict their behavior
- Authors
- Lisa Buckley (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research CollaborationMichelle Nicolls - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research Collaboration
- Publication details
- Journal of Safety Research, Vol.96, pp.285-291
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jsr.2026.01.011
- ISSN
- 1879-1247; 0022-4375
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Grant note
- The research is funded by the MAIC/ UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration, a collaboration between the Motor Accident Insurance Commission (Queensland) and the University of the Sunshine Coast.
- Organisation Unit
- Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991201336502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
1 Record Views