BRAKING THE CYCLE - ASSOCIATIONS OF A LEARNER DRIVER MENTOR PROGRAM WITH THE RISKY DRIVING, PERCEPTIONS OF PROCEDURAL JUSTICE, AND WELLBEING OF DISADVANTAGED NOVICE DRIVERS

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore

Globally, novice drivers face heightened risks of road trauma, highlighting the need for targeted interventions that promote road safety, encourage adherence to traffic laws, and reduce risky driving behaviours. Graduated driver licensing systems (GDL) use supervised driving practice and staged, restricted licensing, but they can create licensing inequity when disadvantaged learner drivers lack support and financial resources. This thesis examines an Australian learner driver mentor program, Braking the Cycle (BTC), designed to supply vehicles and trained volunteer mentors to help disadvantaged novice drivers accumulate supervised driving hours and progress through GDL.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages288

Reading Time12 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background: novice driver risk and graduated driver licensing

Licensing inequity and need for targeted support

Australian initiative: learner driver mentor programs

Study context: Braking the Cycle (BTC)

BRAKING THE CYCLE: ASSOCIATIONS OF A LEARNER DRIVER MENTOR PROGRAM WITH THE RISKY DRIVING, PERCEPTIONS OF PROCEDURAL JUSTICE, AND WELLBEING OF DISADVANTAGED NOVICE DRIVERS Karen Joanne Schoots BSc(Psych)(Hons) Submitted in fulfilment ofthe requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety-Queensland (CARRS-Q) School of Psychology and Counselling Faculty of Health Queensland University of Technology 2025 Keywords Learner driver mentor program, Road safety, Learner driver, Novice driver, Young driver, Teen driver, Provisional driver, Driver education, Driving supervision, Mentor, Supervised practice, Procedural justice, Police, Neutrality, Respect, Trustworthy motives, Voice, Basic Psychological Needs Theory, Social inclusion, Self-Determination Theory, Graduated driver licensing system, First Nation Peoples, Disadvantaged, Marginalised, Low socio-economic, Regional, Rural, Semi-remote, and Urban Abbreviations and Glossary of Terms ANCAP BPNT BTC BTC Mentored Hours BTC Novice Driver Confidence BYNDS Connected to Community GDL LDMP Learner driver MAIC Mentor Novice driver P1 P2 PCYC Australasian New Car Assessment Program. This independent Australia-based program conducts crash testing on new vehicles to evaluate their safety performance across a range of models entering the Australian and New Zealand markets. The results are published using a five-star rating system. Basic Psychological Needs Theory Braking the Cycle A measure from Study 2, based on BTC-administered data collected from learner driver responses to the program's internal Induction and Stage 3 survey items. A measure from Study 2, based on BTC-administered data collected from learner driver responses to the program's internal Induction and Stage 3 survey items. Behaviour of Young Novice Driver Scale A measure from Study 2, based on BTC-administered data collected from learner driver responses to the program's internal Induction and Stage 3 survey items. Graduated driver licensing system Learner driver mentor program A learner driver licence holder must drive under supervision to develop driving skills while accumulating the required logbook hours to qualify for a practical driving test. Motor Accident Insurance Commission In this program of research, a mentor refers to a trained volunteer driving supervisor within the LDMP. Teen, young, beginner, or new driver Provisional licence stage 1 in Queensland: The first 12 months of independent driving (with some restrictions). Provisional licence stage 2 in Queensland: The second stage of independent driving (with fewer restrictions than P1) from >12 months to 36 months. Police–Citizens Youth Clubs Perceptions of Risky Driving PERFPPJ Provisional driver PWB QPS Risky Driving Intentions Satisfaction with BTC Program SDTSM TMRTRV–L TRV–I WHO A measure from Study 2, based on BTC-administered data collected from learner driver responses to the program's internal Induction and Stage 3 survey items. Police Executive Research Forum Perceptions of Procedural Justice is a measure developed from Study 1 Survey responses A provisional licence holder in Queensland (P1 or P2), permitted to drive independently while adhering to specific licence restrictions. Psychological Wellbeing Scale: Includes the full Basic Psychological Needs Satisfaction and Needs Frustration Scale (English version for adults) . Queensland Police Service A measure from Study 2, based on BTC-administered data collected from learner driver responses to the program's internal Induction survey items. A measure from Study 2, based on BTC-administered data collected from learner driver responses to the program's internal Stage 3 survey items. Self–Determination Theory Satisfaction with BTC Mentors measure, based on participant responses from Study 1–BTC LDMP Survey responses. Department of Transport and M

FAQs

What problem does the research address regarding novice drivers?

The research highlights that novice drivers face heightened road trauma risk and that existing systems need better interventions to reduce risky driving and improve adherence to traffic laws.

How do graduated driver licensing systems (GDL) work in the context of the thesis?

GDL aims to improve safety and driving skills through mandated supervised practice hours and staged provisional licensing restrictions that gradually lessen with competence and experience.

What is the main inequity discussed with GDL?

Disadvantaged learner drivers may lack support systems and financial resources to accumulate required supervised driving experience, contributing to licensing inequity.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Theodore