Understanding the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of Australian learner drivers toward driving into floodwater

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Flood-related unintentional drowning claims the lives of an average of 13 people each year, with over half due to intentionally driving into floodwaters. A body of work produced jointly by Griffith University and Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLSSA) has been exploring the motivations for driving into floodwaters and avoiding driving into floodwaters. This work has expanded into the role of swift water rescue technicians in floodwater rescues of motorists who have driven into floodwaters and evaluation of a flood safety video infographic aimed at discouraging people from this risky behaviour. Research conducted to date has identified a knowledge gap associated with learner drivers. Initial investigations indicate that there is no education provided to learner drivers about the risks of driving into floodwaters. Evidence collected through previously published studies by Griffith University and RLSSA suggests a cohort of people had driven through floodwaters when they were younger at the behest of their parents. Assessing awareness and psycho-social factors underpinning flood safety for learner drivers is key to achieving long-term commitment to safe driving behaviours during floods. Building on our previous research, the current project provided the first investigation of the knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes of Australian learner drivers toward driving into floodwater. This study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 (N = 44) was an elicitation study which employed qualitative methods to elicit the salient beliefs that Australian learner drivers hold in relation to risky driving behaviours during floods. Building on the results of Phase 1, Phase 2 (N = 250) employed quantitative methods to examine the key beliefs and social-cognitive processes impacting upon Australian learner drivers’ decisions toward driving through and avoiding driving through floodwater. Data from Phase 1 were analysed using content analyses, and data from Phase 2 were analysed using structural equation modelling. Results identified a range of key beliefs that predicted willingness to drive through floodwater. Beliefs regarding the behaviour included the belief that it will get them to their destination, and that it will be fun. The belief that it would put them in danger negatively predicted willingness to drive through floodwater. Normative beliefs that predicted willingness to drive through floodwater included perceived approval of parents, other family members, and authorities such as the police. Facilitators included needing to get to their destination, needing to escape danger, and support from other people. Barriers to driving through floodwater included water conditions not seeming appropriate, not wanting to damage their vehicle, and not being able to see what is beneath the water surface.