NEW LOOK DRIVER-TRAINING: DEFLATING CONFIDENCE AND PROMOTING SAFETY

AAMI/Skilled Drivers of Australia have developed a driver-training program that departs considerably from previous programs that have focused on advanced vehicle-handling skills and have tended to increase crash risk. The objective of the program is to provide 18-25 year-olds greater insight into potential risks when driving through theory and practical sessions. MUARC evaluated the program through repeated measures analyses of questionnaire responses on driving-related attitudes and behaviours. Several positive outcomes were identified, including a protective role of course participation against dangerous driving behaviours and an increase in confidence in hazard management but not in overall driving ability. In fact, males reported a reduction in confidence. Participants reported several behavioural changes in open-ended responses, including safer headways, speeds, and greater awareness of the driving environment at 8-9 weeks following the course. It was concluded that the program effected positive changes that were likely to reduce the crash risk of participants. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E206143.

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