Abstract:
The problem of the disproportionately high accident and
offence rate of young drivers is a major area for concern
in the field of road safety (Cameron, 1982,1983; Jonah,
1986). Research suggests that young drivers have a
propensity to become involved in risk-taking behaviours
and that this may be due to both motivational factors
(Schuman, et al, 1967; MacMillan, 1975; Wilde, 1982;
Jessor, 1987), and the components of risk perception
(Quenault et al, 1968; Quimby and Watts, 1981; Finn and
Bragg, 1986; Mathews and Moran, 1986).
The present study employed two distinct methodologies
(surveys and the relatively novel technique of
interactive video) in order to examine the attitudes,
judgements and behaviours of a sample of young drivers
(17-19 years) and pre-drivers (11-18 years).
The questionnaire surveys and the Interactive Video
Driving Programme (I. V. D. P. ) revealed that distinct
attitudes towards driving are held as early as 11 years of
age, and that there are several attitudinal, judgemental
and behavioural dimensions along which the sexes and/or
the developmental groups within the driver and pre-driver
sample, could be discriminated. These dimensions related
to perceptions of driving offences, risk-taking attitudes
and behaviours, hazard perception and evaluation, and road
environment awareness.
The use of the I. V. D. P. allowed the examination of driving
behaviours and judgements in simulated decision
situations. Results indicated that there were some
differences in the results produced by the two
methodologies. Results tend to suggest that the more
interactive and pictorial modes of information
presentation may be more successful in assisting young
people to develop more accurate mental representations of
the road traffic environment.
The results are discussed in terms of their implications
for the design and implementation of school-based
pre/driver education programmes. Specifically, issues
such as information content and presentation, and the
targeting of information at young people of different
developmental stages are addressed.
