Diversion from prosecution: retuning the crash magnets

Professor Stephen StradlingEmeritus Professor of Transport PsychologyEdinburgh Napier University

DIVERSION FROM PROSECUTION COURSES: RETUNING THE CRASH MAGNETS

STEPHEN STRADLING Edinburgh Napier University & Timperley

WITHDR PAUL BROUGHTON Owl researchDR CRIS BURGESS Exeter UniversityDR FIONA FYLAN Leeds Metropolitan UniversityDR HELEN SCOTT Sunderland University

RSGB Chester 15 Nov 2011

Driver clocked doing 38 in a 30

Driver stopped doing 51 in a 40

Driver taking a short cut driving the wrong way on a 1-way street

Driver changing lane on a dual carriageway without signalling, causing non-injury collision

Driver remaining in lane 2 or 3 on motorway when lane 1 is empty

Driver taking the wrong lane at a roundabout, causing confusion

Driver overtaking on the inside at speed

Driver mounting the kerb to avoid stationary traffic

P2W rider cutting corners on country road at speed

P2W rider crossing a solid white line to overtake

WHAT DO ALL THESE HAVE IN COMMON?

Moving traffic offences

Failures of socialisation and training

Crash Magnets: driving with reduced safety margins, purposely or inadvertently

Potential prelude to a prang or disruption of progress: IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE

THESE PEOPLE NEED HELP, A SECOND CHANCE

WHAT DO ALL THESE HAVE IN COMMON?

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SAFE –Ignore

DANGEROUS –Prosecute

REMEDIABLE –Retune

SAFE –Ignore

DANGEROUS –Prosecute

REMEDIABLE –Retune

SKILL DEFICIT

ATTITUDE DEFICIT

NATIONAL COURSES approved by ACPO developed through NDORS

NATIONAL RIDE COURSE

NATIONAL SPEED AWARENESS COURSE

NATIONAL DRIVER ALERTNESS COURSE

NATIONAL DRIVING 4 CHANGE COURSE

NATIONAL WHAT’S DRIVING US? COURSE

Driving and riding are activities that involve sharing the road with many, often more vulnerable, legimately present, others. Attendance at a course with the physical co-presence of other such road users, often with different outlooks and trip agendas, helps convey this message.

The provision of common national courses means that drivers and riders can choose from any of the participating providers, making courses more accessible.

RIDE

SPEED AWARENESS

DRIVER ALERTNESS

DRIVING 4 CHANGE

WHAT’S DRIVING US?

P2W rider crossing a solid white line to overtake

P2W rider cutting corners on country road at speed

Driver clocked doing 38 in a 30 Driver stopped doing 51 in a 40

Driver changing lane on a dual carriageway without signalling, causing non-injury collision

Driver taking a short cut driving the wrong way on a 1-way street

Driver remaining in lane 2 or 3 on motorway when lane 1 is empty

Driver taking the wrong lane at a roundabout, causing confusion

Driver overtaking on the inside at speed

Driver mounting the kerb to avoid stationary traffic

RIDE Bikers Evaluated attitude VIOLATION

SPEED AWARENESS Drivers Evaluated observation + attitude ERROR OR VIOLATIONCONFORMERS, COMPLIERS & MANIPULATORS

DRIVER ALERTNESS Drivers Evaluated skill + attitude ERROR & VIOLATION (care or consideration)

DRIVING 4 CHANGE Drivers Piloting skill (care) ERROR

WHAT’S DRIVING US? Drivers Piloting attitude (consideration) VIOLATION

DEFICIT to remediate

NATIONAL RIDE COURSE

An alternative to prosecution for offences committed under Section 3, Section 39 and excess speed (non-camera) of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Objectives:increase awareness of current riding behaviour and engender a positive and responsible approach to motorcycling.

The course encourages clients to continue to ride their motorcycle, but to• examine their individual attitudes and motivations• examine their approach to risk• probe their beliefs surrounding inappropriate riding behaviour• consider the positive effects and benefits of mindset change• maintain these positive changes after course completion

Duration 1 dayLocation classroomCost £86 - £101

NATIONAL SPEED AWARENESS COURSE

An alternative to prosecution for low level speeding (limit +10% + 2–6mph at the time of evaluation; now limit +10% + 2-9 mph). (e.g., was 35-39, now 35-42 in a 30)

Objectives:• identify the benefits of complying with speed limits• raise awareness of appropriate attitudes towards the misuse of speed• understand the consequences of speeding and explore the advantages and disadvantages of speeding• improve knowledge of speed limits and skills in identifying different limit areas• recognise personal responsibility for choice of speed• recognise impact of driving behaviour on other road users• provide opportunity to increase knowledge and skills in hazard perception

Duration 4 hrs (5 hrs)Location classroom (+ on-road)Cost £75 - £95

Skill deficit

Attitude deficit

NATIONAL DRIVER ALERTNESS COURSE

The National Driver Alertness scheme should be used to remove from the criminal justice system those drivers who by a driving error have offended against Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and offer them a course at an approved course venue. Where there is evidence that the person’s driving amounts to more than an error of judgement, the case should be referred for prosecution.

Driving without Due Care and Attention OR without reasonable consideration for other road users.

Objectives:• re-calibrate drivers' perceptions of task difficulty• help drivers avoid factors that reduce their driving competence• increase drivers' awareness of the causes and consequences of collisions• challenge drivers' dysfunctional beliefs• enable drivers to identify their individual driving dangers and develop an action plan to stay safe on the roads

Duration 1 dayLocation classroom + on-roadCost £125 - £200

NATIONAL DRIVING 4 CHANGE COURSE

A lapse of concentration, an error of judgement, or a general mistake, or a lack of awareness of the law pertaining to the offence that he or she has committed, that has not had wider consequences (i.e. a collision)

AimTo raise awareness of driving skill deficits and start the process of addressing it

Objectives

1.To increase understanding of what constitutes safer driving behaviour2. To increase understanding of their own skill deficits3. To improve their driving skills4.To increase their motivation to further improve their driving

Duration 1/2 dayLocation on-roadCost £80 - £85

The W Model

What type of road did the incident occur on?

Type of Road Speed Limit Tick as identified Urban 30

  Rural National

  Dual Carriageway 70

  Motorway 70       

     

 

WHERE

Why did you do what you did?

(Statement to discuss)

 

WHY

WHEN

1)Who was in the car with you at the time?

Children Peer 25-60 Disabled Other

(2) Who do you think your behaviour affected?

 

 

 

WHO

1) What was happening at the time? (Statement to discuss)

WHAT

Time/dates

Time of day Day of week Month  Am Pm

Do you think this had any effect on your incident, if yes why?

Mapping of ND4C Course Objectives to Content

Course Objectives Let’s Discuss

Let’s Drive 1

Let’s Drive 2

Let’s Reflect

1. To increase their understanding of what constitutes safer driving behaviour

√ √ √

2. To increase understanding of their skill deficits

√ √ √ √

3 To improve their driving skills √ √ √

4. To increase motivation to further improve their driving

√ √ √ √

Research

Course evaluation and client satisfaction

Does the course change behaviour?Does the course change attitudes?

Research Methodology

Behaviour/attitude questionnaire• Pre course • Post course I• Post course II (4 week follow-up)

Research

Research Question

What are the underlying causation factors for specific referral offences?

Research Methodology

ADI to complete a record sheet for each participant: • The Offence and circumstances (W template)• Three items to work on (agreed following drive 1)• Three items promised for practice (agreed following drive 2)• Other comments

NATIONAL WHAT’S DRIVING US?

An act or omission that can be construed as intentional or deliberate, where … the driver knew their actions amounted to an offence, that had not had wider consequences (i.e. a third party complaint or collision)

Aims of the course are to produce safer and more responsible attitudes towards driving, and to

increase motivation to drive with consideration for other road users.

Objectives:

•Increase perceptions of driving as a complex and difficult task.

•Increase recognition that the way they drive and the risks they take increase the likelihood of crashing.

•Increase awareness of the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of being involved in a crash.

•Increase understanding of the need for traffic rules.

• Increase insight into the things that influence their driving.

Duration 4 hrsLocation classroom

A plan for the day

• 9am – 10.30am: Presentations and activities• 10.30-10.45am: Break• 10.45 – 11.45: Group work and feedback• 11.45- 12.15: Presentations and activities

(GRIEVING for LOSS of CURRENT IDENTITY as a DRIVER)

Behavioural Change Technique(Abraham & Michie, 2008)

Provide information about the behaviour-health link

Provide information on consequences

Provide information about others’ approval

Prompt intention formation

Prompt barrier identification

Provide instruction

Plan social support / social change

Prompt specific goal setting

Teach to use prompts/cues

Prompt practice

Provide opportunities for social comparison

Prompt identification as role model

Motivational interviewing

Relapse prevention

The WDU course makes use of the following behavioural change techniques

What are you going to do differently?

• Thinking about your incident, what situation might you be in that means you might drive in this way again?

• Where will you be driving to?• Who will you be travelling with?• What are you going to do differently?

– Before the drive?– During the drive?

Prompt intention formation

Teach to use

prompts/cues

Behavioural Change Technique

Provide general encouragement

Set graded tasks

Model or demonstrate the behaviour

Prompt review of behavioural goals

Prompt self-monitoring of behaviour

Provide feedback on performance

Provide contingent rewards

Agree behavioural contract

Use follow-up prompts

Prompt self-talk

Stress management

Time management

And these are the ones we failed to get in

RIDE Before, After and Follow-up inc 4 FGs, tutor interviews; compared to untreated group of bikers

SPEED AWARENESS Before, After and 3 mo Follow-up inc 6 FGs

DRIVER ALERTNESS Before, After and 2 mo Follow-up; compared to Driver Improvement Scheme

DRIVING 4 CHANGE Before and After + 2 FGs, instructor interviews, online provider questionnaire

WHAT’S DRIVING US? Before and After + 2 FGs, instructor interviews, online provider questionnaire

Enhanced administrative arrangements such as supplier accreditation, training the trainers, process monitoring including quality control inspections, and robust outcome evaluation involving before-after designs, are being put in place to ensure we know what works, with whom, and under what conditions.

COURSE EVALUATION

RIDE Before, After and Follow-up inc 4 FGs, tutor interviews; compared to untreated group of bikers

RIDE clients report:

o Lower speeds in specific riding locations following course attendance o Braking sharply less frequently, in both urban and rural areaso Leaving larger safety margins between their hypothetical maximum speed and their ‘normal’ riding speed

They agreed or strongly agreed that the course:

o helped them to identify their own bad riding habits (80%) o gave them a better understanding of the hazards riders face on the roads (92%)

They:

o were surprised that they were not chastised or patronised during the course, and appreciated the knowledge and experience of the tutorso were expecting the course to focus on skills and techniques that would make them a safer rider, and that it would provide them with practical skills, and this expectation was not meto found RIDE an acceptable alternative to points and a fine

EVALUATION HIGHLIGHTS

SPEED AWARENESS Before, After and 3 mo Follow-up inc 6 FGs

99% of clients who responded at follow-up reported that they had changed their driving after attending the course: driving more slowly, being more aware of the road environment and of their speed, and feeling less stressed while driving. While a minority (9%) described how they had found it difficult to break their driving habits, and that they sometimes felt pressure from other drivers to speed up, particularly on motorways, the majority (90%) reported that they had not experienced any difficulties in applying what they had learnt.

The course:o provides information that challenges attitudes towards speedingo helps them to recognise that the advantages are not as great as they may have assumedo helps them understand the reason for speed limits being set as they areo helps them realise that the driving environment is more hazardous than they had appreciatedo gives them greater insight into their own driving, including the pressures that they face and the limits to their own knowledgeo gives them skills in identifying speed limits, and easy-to-recall tips (e.g., COAST), knowledge and skills to improve their driving style

Many become advocates for the course and share their new knowledge and skills with friends and family. They promote slower more relaxed driving styles and actively encourage others to slow down.

EVALUATION HIGHLIGHTS

DRIVER ALERTNESS Before, After and 2 mo Follow-up; compared to Driver Improvement Scheme

At follow-up 99% reported that they had changed their drivingo Being more aware of what could happen in different situationso It’s made me think ahead moreo I am more observant with near or distant road users 'making last minute changes‘o I am a lot more tolerant. I do not get upset about minor thingso I am slower, allowing more space, more relaxed and knowledgeable about traffic signs as I had misread one when I had the accidento I drive much more economically now which means I am less rushed and safer and more aware of the road

Agreed:o the classroom instructors knew what they were talking abouto the driving instructors understood their drivingo the instructors cared that you stay safe on the road

Driver Alertness was as effective in changing self-reported attitudes and behaviours in 1 day as Driver Improvement in 1.5 days

EVALUATION HIGHLIGHTS

s.stradling@napier.ac.uk

REFLECT UPON YOUR PRACTICES