How effective is the ACT Road Ready pre-licence driver education program at changing novice driver risk related attitudes and reducing the offence and crash involvement of novice drivers in the ACT?

The Australian Capital Territory attempts to protect novice drivers by providing pre-licence driver education that aims to address the attitudinal and belief-related factors known to increase risk during this period. However, to date there have been no outcome evaluations of the program to provide evidence as to its level of effectiveness at reducing crash risk, changing risk-related attitudes or perceptions, or reducing novice driver traffic-related infringements.  This kind of evidence is vital to informed decision-making about whether the current methods of protecting young drivers is effective and adequate or whether additional countermeasures or actions are needed to maximise novice driver safety.  In addition, this kind of information is valuable in relation to resource allocation. By collecting baseline and follow-up data on both attitudes, intended and actual behaviour as well as offence and crash incidence, this project seeks to contribute to the evidence base for licensing and driver education in the Australian Capital Territory.

Project Leader

Dr Alexia Lennon (Queensland University of Technology)

Project Team

Dr Lyndel Bates (Griffith University)

Type of Funding

NRMA-ACT Road Safety Trust

Dates

2016

Theme/s

Policing and Security