Eliciting the beliefs of young drivers about driving risks: an analysis of two methodologies

Background: The Theory of Planned Behaviour proposes that intention is the closest predictor of behaviour, with attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control predicting intention; and beliefs underpinning the latter predictors. These beliefs facilitate behaviour change. This paper presents research that elicited the beliefs of young drivers using two methodologies. Participants: First, 69 students participated in a written questionnaire about specific driving behaviours. The group was of mixed gender and aged between 18 and 21 years. Second, twelve young drivers, again students at a college providing vocational education in the South West of Western Australia, were interviewed. Participants were male (6) and female (6) aged between 18 and 20 years. Methodology: In the first methodology, a written questionnaire with open ended questions was used elicit young driver beliefs across four behaviours, drink driving (20), driving tired (20), exceeding the speed limit (20), and restraint use (9). Secondly, semi structured interviews were conducted to determine young drivers’ beliefs about the risks of driving. Results and Discussion: In both methodologies young drivers expressed few beliefs about risky driving and the specific risks pertaining to certain behaviours. The specific behavioural data indicated that a low number of beliefs were held compared with other research eliciting beliefs for other behaviours. The interview data suggests that young drivers are more focused on the practical aspects of driving rather than the risks detailed in road safety advertising. This research provides opportunities for initiating behaviour change and details application of different research methodologies.

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