A number of in-vehicle intelligent transport system (ITS) technologies with the potential to significantly reduce the incidence and severity of young novice driver crashes are currently available or exist in advanced prototype form. This study assessed the acceptability of several in-vehicle ITS technologies to a sample of Australian young novice drivers. Eight focus groups were conducted: four in metropolitan and four in rural New South Wales. The groups involved 58 drivers aged 17-25 years who were likely to derive the greatest safety benefit from the selected technologies. Results revealed that the alcohol interlock and seat belt reminder systems were the most acceptable to young drivers, while fatigue warning (for rural participants only), intelligent speed adaptation and lane departure warning had the lowest levels of perceived acceptability. The attitudes of metropolitan and rural participants towards the systems were generally very similar; however, a number of differences in the acceptability of several technologies were observed. Suggestions for enhancing the acceptability of ITS technologies to young novice drivers are offered, along with recommendations for further research. (a).
Abstract