Research into unlicensed driving : final report.

Author(s)
Knox, D. Turner, B. Silcock, D. Beuret, K. & Metha, J.
Year
Abstract

In October 1999 the Department of the Environment Transport and the Regions (DETR, now the Department for Transport) appointed Ross Silcock and Social Research Associates to complete research into unlicensed driving. At that time very little was known about the extent of unlicensed driving and implications for road safety. There was concern that changes to the driving testing system had made progression to a full driving licence more challenging. These changes included the introduction of the theory test for learner drivers as well as changes to the practical driving test. In addition, new legislation (The New Drivers Act 1995) had been implemented to revoke the driving licence of novice drivers if they accumulated six or more penalty points on their driving licence within two years of passing their driving test. After the revocation of their licence the individual would have to reapply for a provisional licence and re-pass the driving tests in order to regain their full licence. However, fewer individuals were regaining their licences in the numbers that would be expected. There was also concern over the numbers of disqualified drivers who may be tempted to drive while disqualified. The effectiveness of disqualification as a deterrent to dangerous driving behaviour could be brought into question if a large proportion of drivers were to ignore this sanction. This is particularly pertinent due to the recent publication of the Government’s Consultation Paper into Road Traffic Penalties (December 2000) and subsequent report of the review (July 2002), which suggests a number of changes to the use of disqualification as a penalty. The initial objectives of the research as stated in the DETR project specification are as follows: • Estimate the extent of unlicensed driving, i.e. the proportion of drivers who drive unlicensed, the frequency and circumstance of unlicensed driving and the miles driven. • Consider the road safety implications of unlicensed driving with reference to crash reports and self-reported accident involvement. • Determine the characteristics of unlicensed drivers. • Identify the motivations for unlicensed driving and the beliefs and attitudes associated with the behaviour including consideration of possible consequences and the effectiveness of existing and possible deterrents. • Make recommendations for countermeasures. (Author/publisher)

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Publication

Library number
C 29675 [electronic version only]
Source

London, Department for Transport (DfT), 2003, 201 p., 39 ref.; Road Safety Research Report ; No. 48 - ISSN 1468-9138

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