Cultural shift needed to reduce young drivers' deaths

KEEPING mum and dad involved after the L-plates come off could be the first step in a shift needed to reduce the number of young drivers dying on roads.

University of the Sunshine Coast Accident Researcher Dr Bridie Scott-Parker is warning parents to be vigilant about monitoring their teen's driving even after they have received their P1 licence.

KEEPING mum and dad involved after the L-plates come off could be the first step in a cultural shift needed to reduce the number of young drivers dying on Queensland roads.

This strategy will be among several that University of the Sunshine Coast research fellow Bridie Scott-Parker will investigate during a three-year pilot study, involving 500 novice drivers, on the Sunshine Coast.

She said the trial also would investigate whether alcohol ignition interlocks would reduce risky behaviour, whether an app in the learner phase would promote practising before the licence test, how young drivers reacted with different supervisors and how they felt in a range of driving situations.

Ms Scott-Parker said there would likely be many more things the university's accident research unit would test but keeping parents involved was high on the list.

The mother of teenage children said mum and dad were often thankful when their children finished the learning phase and felt they could worry less.

But Ms Scott-Parker said the learner phase was the safest and the P1 drivers were at greatest risk in Queensland.

She said young people, aged 17 to 25, represented 13% of the population and 22% of the fatalities.

"So they're definitely over-represented," she said.

"We want to keep mum and dad involved as long as possible which will require a whole cultural shift.

"In the 70s it was normal to go to pub on way home, get smashed and drive home and it was normal to not wear seat belts.

"Today there is a whole cultural shift away from that which required a lot of education, enforcement, engagement and introducing RBTs.

"This will require the same thing. I think parents underestimate how much their teens listen, even if it doesn't seem like they are."

Ms Scott-Parker has just finished a study, on risky behaviour from novice drivers, which she presented at the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference in Brisbane.

She said she found 16% had alcohol and then drove even though they should have no alcohol in their system, with men more likely to imbibe before taking the wheel.

Ms Scott-Parker said people in rural areas were more likely to engage in risky behaviour behind the wheel while substance-impaired, including avoiding police, carrying too many passengers, speeding and not wearing seatbelts.

FACTBOX

• 5.9% of males and 1.3% of females admitted driving after taking drugs.
• 19.3% of males and 11.6% of females admitted driving after drinking alcohol.
• 85.7% of novice drivers admitted speeding.
• 82.7% of novice drivers admitted driving while tired.