Young novice drivers' perceived risk, risky driving engagement and hazard perception

Abstract

Internationally, young novice drivers (aged 17-25 years) are often overrepresented in road-related crash injury and fatality statistics. Compared with older, more experienced drivers, prominent contributors to young driver crash-risk is their lower perceived risk, higher engagement in risky driving behaviours (e.g., speeding), and poorer hazard perception skills. This thesis describes seven studies conducted to address three research aims. The first aim was to model and examine three psychological theories of personality, social–cognitive, and social-learning, to propose a new conceptual framework that explores how young novice drivers perceive driving risk, and whether they choose to engage or not in risky driving behaviours. In studies 1-4, using a sample of 643 young novice drivers (490 females) who held an Australian driver’s licence (Provisional-1, Provisional-2, or Open), models of: i) reinforcement sensitivity, ii) protection motivation, and iii) prototype willingness, were examined. From these models, factors of reward sensitivity, coping appraisal, threat appraisal, driver prototypes, and behavioural willingness predicted young driver perecived risk, and reported risky driving engagement. The second aim was to examine whether a developed and piloted brief hazard perception training session can improve Provisional-1 drivers (aged 17-25years) overall hazard perception knowledge, identification, response and handling to road user related driving hazards using a driving simulator. Educational, passive and active training methods incorporating a number of established behavioural change techniques were employed, while elements of process and product evaluation were undertaken. Also examined was whether any training group differences persisted at 2-3 week follow-up. In Study 5 a sample of 23 drivers (n=7 Provisional-1, n=7 Provisional-2, and n=9 Open licence) piloted and validated the training methods and hazard perception outcome measures. In Study 6, a brief training session was implemented with a sample of 52 (18 male) Provisional-1 licence drivers aged 17-25 years. Participants were equally randomised to four training conditions (pamphlet, passive, active, and no-training). Participants who received training significantly outperformed the no-training participants in hazard perception identification, response, and handling of hazards, in the simulator hazard perception test. When assessed again at a follow-up session (n=40), support was found for participants who received training that was higher in interactivity (passive and active training) outperforming the no-training participants and participants who only received an educational pamphlet in the hazard perception tests (static and simulator). The third aim was to evaluate whether the brief hazard perception training session’s key objectives were met using feedback from participants who completed the training session, and to identify whether factors identified from the new conceptual model (research aim 1) were associated with hazard perception performance. Study 7 evaluated the training session using feedback from drivers who participated in study 5 (N=52), and explored initial associations between protection motivation theory and the prototype willingness model for perceived risk, reported risky driving engagement, and hazard perception. This approach sought to expand the literature by examining factors associated with these three prominent young driver crash risk models to better adjust and address such factors in future training programs targeting safety outcomes. While potential correlates of hazard knowledge were examined, only three were found to share significant relationships: coping appraisal, previous traffic violations, and risky driver prototype similarity. From participant feedback, three key areas of learning were identified by participants: increased knowledge, awareness of new hazards, and greater awareness of driving laws and rules. A majority of participants in the training conditions also indicated that after the training session their understanding of driving hazard perception and driving related hazards had improved. Across training conditions, 91.5% (n=43) of participants who completed the evaluation measure indicated that they would recommend the session for other Provisional-1 drivers. Examining potential underlying influences for why young drivers are overrepresented in international injury and death tolls is important for road safety research and practice (e.g., driver-oriented interventions). Highlighted in this thesis are factors from the conceptual models that could be amenable to change in influencing young driver decision-making, perceived risk, and risky driving engagement, in addition to a brief training session that showed evidence of hazard perception improvement. These results may contribute to improved road safety initiatives, preventive strategies and interventions that focus on this vulnerable driver demographic.