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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Introduction
In June 2008, the Scottish Government commissioned ODS Consulting to undertake qualitative research exploring the views of young people (aged 16 to 25) towards road safety. The research was to help inform the development of the new Scottish Road Safety Strategy. Young people - particularly young male drivers - are significantly more likely to be involved in a car accident (Scottish Government, 2008a). Given the high casualty rates among young people, the Scottish Government wished to ensure that the views of young people were taken into account in developing the new Road Safety Strategy.
Methodology
The research took place between June and September 2008. It involved six focus groups with young people aged 16 to 19 and 20 to 25 - four with young men and two with young women. Three groups were held in Glasgow and three in the Scottish Borders. A total of 54 young people participated in the research.
Research participants were identified through recruitment in public places including streets, sports centres and shopping centres; working with local organisations including equalities groups; and networking through young people's clubs and groups. A matrix was used to ensure a mix of young people took part in the study - taking account of driving status, employment status, disability and ethnic origin. Innovative participatory methods were used to conduct the focus groups to ensure that the participants found them engaging and interesting, while also extracting rich qualitative information about views and experiences.
Key Findings
Perception of Risk
Young drivers rarely thought of the risks to themselves - either of being in an accident or getting caught driving dangerously. They focused strongly on risks for passengers and other road users. Participants had very high levels of trust in their friends and siblings as drivers, believing that they would always drive safely to make sure that the passengers were safe. But participant experiences demonstrate that young drivers and passengers are often putting themselves in risky situations. Very few participants seemed to be aware that young drivers were more likely to be involved in a car accident.
Experience of Drink and Drug Driving
Participants were very unsure about the legal limit for drinking and driving. Only one participant said that he had definitely driven while over the limit. But other comments suggested that some participants had driven while over or close to the limit without realising it.
There were variations in views on whether it was okay to drink anything and drive. Some participants said that it was okay to have a small amount to drink - if you were sure that you could still drive safely.
"A better driver can drink more - I've done it". (Driver, 20 to 25 year old, male, urban)
Almost all participants had examples of travelling with a driver who had been drinking, or of friends who had driven while over the alcohol limit. Participants were much more likely to travel with someone who was over the limit if they too had been drinking. Many talked about trust when making the decision whether to travel with someone who had drunk alcohol. Most people trusted their close friends if they said they were safe to drive, but said that they would not get into the car with a 'friend of a friend' who had been drinking any alcohol.
Driving under the influence of drugs was generally seen as unacceptable. No-one said that they had taken drugs and driven. But four young men gave examples of friends who had done so - one in a one-off situation, and the others on a regular basis. In some cases, participants appeared to lose confidence talking about the experience of drugs and driving because of the reactions of other participants.
Speeding and Seatbelt Wearing
Participants felt that speeding was very common and acceptable, particularly on quiet roads and motorways. Motorways were seen as more 'predictable' - straighter, less stopping and starting, clear rules for overtaking, entering and exiting the roads, and fewer pedestrians and other hazards. Some young men mentioned that speeding was more acceptable if you know the roads. Being able to 'handle' the speed was a common theme.
"Speeding has been made okay - everyone does it." (Driver, 16 to 19 year old, female, urban)
Most participants said that they wore seatbelts all the time. They generally felt that this was an automatic reflex. In most of the discussion groups there were one or two participants who said that they did not always wear their seatbelt. Passengers (and non-drivers) were least likely to wear their seatbelts, particularly in the back seat. Participants were also influenced by the length of the journey, how many passengers there were, how busy the roads were, who they were with, and whether they had drunk alcohol.
"If I've had a drink I don't think about my seatbelt." (Driver, 20 to 25 year old, male, rural)
"It's not that it isn't 'cool'. It's the inconvenience." (Driver, 16 to 19 year old male, urban)
Influences on Behaviour
Participants had very varied views on the factors that influenced how they behaved as a driver and passenger. A key influence was alcohol and drugs. There was general agreement - among drivers and non-drivers - that alcohol made you "pumped up, cocky and over confident" and that this meant you were likely to drive in an unsafe way. Participants thought that in general alcohol affected young people more than older people, but that this varied depending on the individual. Views on how drugs affected driving behaviour were more varied.
The influence of friends was also a key factor. Drivers said that the main reason that they would not drive dangerously would be fear of injuring friends or relatives as passengers. But the same participants also said that having passengers in the car could make them show off - a characteristic that they associated with poor driving behaviour. There is a clear contradiction here, suggesting that while participants would not want to harm their friends, in reality they can behave in ways that might cause accidents.
The research explored if and how young people said they would try to prevent friends driving in a dangerous manner. Participants were most likely to intervene in dangerous driving behaviour if they could offer a practical solution - like taking the phone call for the driver, or getting a taxi instead of driving. The main reason participants said they would intervene was because they would feel a sense of guilt if an accident occurred and they had not tried to stop it. But a number of participants mentioned that simply saying something about dangerous driving was unlikely to have an impact. Participants also mentioned that it was much easier for drivers to influence passenger behaviour, than vice versa.
"It's not easy but I would still say to her to slow down, but I doubt she would listen." (Non-driver, 20 to 25 year old male, urban)
Tackling Dangerous Driving
Participants were asked for their views on a series of potential restrictions or interventions specifically for young drivers - including restrictions on carrying passengers, driving at night or drinking alcohol and driving. Overall, participants strongly resisted any suggestion of greater restrictions on younger drivers. They argued that these would be discriminatory and restrictive, and were not sure why young drivers - and not all new drivers - should be targeted. There was particularly strong resistance to measures restricting how young people use their cars, including limits on driving at night or carrying passengers.
"Why would you be allowed to pass and not be considered safe enough to carry passengers? It doesn't make sense." Driver, 20 to 25 year old, female, rural)
Only one participant (in a younger male group) mentioned the reasons behind suggestions for restricting younger drivers.
"You should also look at the statistics that young people are more likely to have an accident and have a lower tolerance to alcohol, so I can see the basis for it." (Driver, 16 to 19 year old male, urban)
But participants did spontaneously suggest some potential measures to increase the safety of all new drivers, including making the Pass Plus certificate mandatory or part of the driving test.
"Pass Plus should be compulsory. That should just be the test." (Driver, 20 to 25 year old male, rural)
Minority of Extreme Views
In speaking to 54 young participants, we found two participants (friends) with experience of stealing cars, driving without a licence, taking drugs and driving, and driving uninsured. This appears to be related to the neighbourhood the young people live in, and the culture of driving behaviour that exists there.
"If you're getting chased when you're fighting you just go as fast as you can. Even if you go past a school and there's people about you just swerve to avoid them." (Non-driver, 16 to 19 year old, male, urban)
"Your friend gives you their ID and if you are stopped [by the police] you say you are them." (Non-driver, 16 to 19 year old, male, urban)
Changing Views
The study provided a detailed insight into the attitudes and experiences of young people. The young people involved in the study were very open and honest about their attitudes and experiences. But throughout the groups, participants often changed their minds and contradicted themselves. Often, participants had not thought in detail about these issues before and were just beginning to shape their opinions.
Importantly, some participants expressed certain views but then reported behaviour and experiences that were at odds with these. This was particularly the case in relation to the issues of drinking and driving and peer pressure. Addressing this gap between attitudes and behaviour is a key challenge, and may require further research.
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