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Scottish Government Road Safety Research Publications
The Scottish Government publishes a number of reports and research summaries based on road safety research. Full Reports, Research Findings and further information about social research in the Scottish Government may be viewed on the Internet at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch
The Road Safety reports described below were published between October 2007 and December 2008:
Qualitative Research with Young People: Road Safety - December 2008
ODS Consulting was asked to explore the views of young people (aged 16 to 25) towards road safety. The research was undertaken to inform the development of the new Scottish Road Safety Strategy. The main findings were that young people participating in focus groups expressed a high degree of trust in friends as drivers, although drivers suggested that the presence of friends as passengers encourages them to show off. Participants felt that speeding was very common and acceptable, particularly on quiet roads and motorways. Participants were unsure about the legal limit for drinking and driving. Driving under the influence of drugs was generally seen as unacceptable. Most participants suggested they wear seatbelts all the time, but a minority said that they sometimes do not, particularly as a passenger. There was strong resistance to any suggestion of greater restrictions on younger drivers.
Rural Road Safety: Drivers and Driving - December 2008
The contractors for this research were TNS System Three, Transport Research Laboratory ( TRL) and Transport Research Institute (Tri) Napier University. They were asked to investigate the causes of accidents on rural roads and to gain insights which could be used to tackle the problem. The main findings were that police data shows that the most frequently reported factors contributing to rural road accidents are 'loss of control' and driving at inappropriate speed (which includes 'travelling too fast for the conditions' and 'exceeding the speed limit'). Only half the drivers surveyed (51%) knew that the National Speed Limit sign meant a maximum of 60mph for car driving. Drivers saw rural roads as low risk, due to fewer vehicles and pedestrians, and lower police presence. An analysis of survey responses found there was little difference in the extent of reported non-compliant driving behaviours (e.g. driving when very tired, whilst using a mobile phone or after drinking any alcohol) on rural roads compared to other road types.
Review of the S1/S2 PSD Road Safety Education Resource - August 2008
The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland commissioned Colin Buchanan and RSN Associates to review the uptake and use of the S1/S2 Personal and Social Development ( PSD) Road Safety Education resource. The research included an analysis of road accident statistics for children of school age, a desktop review of road safety education resources, a postal survey of secondary schools, interviews with teachers, focus groups with S1 and S2 students and workshops with Road Safety Officers. The existing resource materials do not appear to be widely used in Scottish schools, although the accompanying Theatre in Education play (The Nine Lives of Roddy Hogg) is well-received. The majority of use of the resource materials is in S1 classes rather than S2 and the general feeling is that the resource is not sufficiently challenging for older pupils. The road safety topics in the resource are varied, but the activities tend to follow a similar format and make limited use of technology or multi-media approaches. The report provides recommendations for the development of an updated resource for this age group, based on the findings from the research.
Drinking and Driving 2007: Prevalence, Decision Making and Attitudes - March 2008
TNS System Three were appointed by the Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland to measure prevalence of driving after drinking alcohol (both within and above the legal limit), and to examine attitudes towards drinking and driving, amongst drivers in Scotland. The research also aimed to explore the decision making process behind deciding to (or not to) drink and drive, including any audit of risks and consequences this involved. The research involved a survey of a representative sample of 1034 current drivers in Scotland and qualitative research, in the form of 6 focus groups and 6 depth interviews with people who admitted to driving after drinking alcohol. This followed on from research carried out on 2001 and was designed to allow comparisons to be made over time. Between 2001 and 2007, self-reported prevalence of ever driving after drinking alcohol decreased from 55% to 43%, and doing so in the past 12 months decreased from 37% to 25%. Self-reported prevalence of ever drink-driving decreased from 22% to 18%, whilst doing so in the past 12 months remained constant at 5%. Men, people aged 30 to 59, and people in higher social grades were more likely to say they had driven after drinking alcohol. No differences were found between drivers who lived in rural compared with urban areas. Those who admitted to driving after drinking often thought they were under the limit and that their driving ability was unaffected. There was confusion as to how the number of drinks or units related to legal limits. People who did drink-drive considered it to be a low-risk activity, in terms of the likelihood of being involved in an accident or of being caught, and knowledge of the penalties of being caught was low.
Evaluation of the National Network of Child Pedestrian Training Pilot Projects in Scotland March 2008
The Kerbcraft child pedestrian skills training programme was developed to tackle the problem of high accident rates, especially in areas with high levels of deprivations. A UK-wide pilot of programme ran between 2002 and 2007, which included schools in 12 Scottish Local Authorities. The Centre for Child and Adolescent Health University of the West of England evaluated the field trial in Scotland, paying particular attention to delivery and implementation. The pedestrian skills of a sample of trained and untrained children (aged 5 to 7 years) were assessed as part of the wider evaluation and there was strong statistical evidence of a positive impact from training in all three Kerbcraft skills (recognising safe and dangerous crossing places, crossing safely at parked cars and crossing safely near junctions). The pilots were also positive in strengthening communities, by providing volunteering opportunities and fostering links with schools and authorities.
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