Unauthorised drivers and riders present a continuing road safety problem in terms of defied deterrence and potentially in terms of risky driving behaviour. The present report describes a survey of people apprehended for unauthorised driving in New South Wales. The survey methods assured the anonymity of those surveyed. Self-reported reasons for unauthorisation matched RTA records well. Results indicated that many drivers were not awarethat they were unauthorised, and many were not aware of the penalties imposed for unauthorised driving. However, the majority were aware that theywere unauthorised, but chose to drive illegally. Driving for reasons related to work was most common. However, unauthorised driving behaviour appears unauthorised driving behaviour appears to be safer than prior to unauthorisation. On average, drivers reported greater caution to driving legally, including reduced speeding and reduced driving exposure. Random breath testing appears to increase the perceived probability of being detected for unauthorised driving, indicating its value as a deterrent in this regard as well as in relation to drink-driving. (A).
Samenvatting