Road safety education at pre-school, primary and secondary school in Australia is described. Road safety education is a formal requirement at primary school but not at secondary school. The problem of the increased involvement of young drivers in accidents is discussed. The Australian graduated licensing scheme was introduced nationally in 1989. This includes zero blood alcohol concentration for the first three years of driving for persons under 25 years of age, no probationary licence issued to persons under 17 years of age, and a minimum learning period of six months. Suggested improvements to the scheme in the Australian Capital Territory include the use of a log book during the learning period, increasing the range of experience obtained during the learning period and night driving practice. Public education campaigns aimed at changing attitudes or behaviour are described. Rational and emotional approaches to public education campaigns are compared and contrasted. Positive results were achieved by both approaches with both proving equally effective.
Abstract