Understanding the driving related risk-taking attitudes and behaviours of young people in rural and semi-rural areas

Young people are over-represented in crashes on roads.. Safe driving depends upon a range of skills and competencies, although the use of these skills is also dependent on the perceptions of “safe” driving of individual drivers, and potentially those around them. Driving skills may also be honed to enhance safe driving within a specific set of conditions, such as in driving on rural roads or driving through harsh weather conditions.Research investigating these high crash rates usually focused upon those whose behaviour indicates that they are high risk-takers or who have already been involved in driving-related incidents. However, the perceptions, experiences and beliefs of a wide cross-section of young drivers, with its inherent mix of high, low and medium risk takers, have not been investigated. This study focused upon the views of these drivers, with emphasis placed upon perspectives of young rural and semi-rural people in NSW. The potential influence of early (pre-licensure age) driving, often undertaken to help on rural properties, upon risk perception was the original emphasis of the research. However it became evident that this was one of a range of factors, some unique to rural living, which influenced risk perception. There were two phases in this research; The initial qualitative focus groups, which generated rich data concerning the views of young people and the range of influences on their perceptions of driving in rural conditions. The quantitative survey enabled comparisons to be made between young rural and semi-rural people. These two phases of the research enabled a mixed methods enquiry to be made into perceptions of speeding. The findings demonstrated that most (94.4%) young drivers recognised risk associated with driving, and aim to moderate their behaviour in changing circumstances. Early driving experience was linked with lower perceptions of injury risk associated with reduced seatbelt usage and drink driving. It also predicted a less cautious approach to some aspects of driving, and that the knowledge of the risks associated with speeding were inadequate. The findings indicate that there are specific needs for driver education and training targeted towards rural drivers