This document summarises the findings from qualitative research exploring the views of young people (aged 16 to 25) towards road safety. The research was undertaken in 2008 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. 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. Main findings are: * 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. Very few participants were aware that young drivers were more likely to be involved in a car accident. * 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. * Participants were very unsure about the legal limit for drinking and driving. They trusted their close friends if they said they were safe to drive, and were much more likely to travel with a driver who had been drinking if they too had been drinking. * Almost all participants had examples of either travelling in a car with a driver who had been drinking, or of friends driving while over the limit. Driving under the influence of drugs was generally seen as unacceptable. No-one said that they had taken drugs and driven. * Participants felt that speeding was very common and acceptable, particularly on quiet roads and motorways. * Most participants said that they wore seatbelts all the time. But a minority said that they sometimes did not, particularly as passengers. * Participants suggested they would intervene in the dangerous driving behaviour of friends, particularly if they could offer a practical solution, but were not sure that just saying something would have an impact. * 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. Participants did, however, spontaneously suggest some potential measures to increase the safety of all new drivers, including making the Pass Plus certificate mandatory. (Author/publisher) This report may be accessed by Internet users at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/12/11153232/0
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