Challenges to driver licensing participation for Aboriginal people in Australia: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

IntroductionAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are overrepresented in transport-related morbidity and mortality. Low rates of licensure in Aboriginal communities and households have been identified as a contributor to high rates of unlicensed driving. There is increasing recognition that Aboriginal people experience challenges and adversity in attaining a licence. This systematic review aims to identify the barriers to licence participation among Aboriginal people in Australia.MethodA systematic search of electronic databases and purposive sampling of grey literature was conducted, two authors independently assessed publications for eligibility for inclusion.ResultsTwelve publications were included in this review, of which there were 11 reporting primary research (qualitative and mixed methods) and a practitioner report. Barriers identified were categorised as individual and family barriers or systemic barriers relating to the justice system, graduated driver licensing (GDL) and service provision. A model is presented that depicts the barriers within a cycle of licensing adversity.DiscussionThere is an endemic lack of licensing access for Aboriginal people that relates to financial hardship, unmet cultural needs and an inequitable system. This review recommends targeting change at the systemic level, including a review of proof of identification and fines enforcement policy, diversionary programs and increased provision for people experiencing financial hardship.ConclusionThis review positions licensing within the context of barriers to social inclusion that Aboriginal people frequently encounter. Equitable access to licensing urgently requires policy reform and service provision that is inclusive, responsive to the cultural needs of Aboriginal people and accessible to regional and remote communities.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12939-016-0422-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Road user behaviour, attitudes and crashes: a survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia

“…This discrepancy between attitudes towards drink driving and behaviour in our sample may reflect specific cultural and geographic needs for transport within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities that can contribute to patterns of drink driving behaviour. This includes the lack of alternative transport in regional and remote communities and low rates of licensed drivers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, which can put pressure on licensed drivers to provide transport that may involve overcrowding of vehicles or drink driving 24–26. Alternatively, lack of access to public or private transport can increase the likelihood that people will drive unlicensed, which can be a risk factor for injury as unlicensed driving is associated with more severe crashes and other risky behaviours including speeding and drink driving 27–30.…”

Driver licensing and health: A social ecological exploration of the impact of licence participation in Australian Aboriginal communities

“…In particular, the fines enforcement system has been identified by previous research as markedly inequitable and culpable for creating and entrenching poverty (Cullen, Clapham, Byrne, et al, 2016;Cullen, Clapham, Hunter, Treacy, & Ivers, 2016;Golledge, 2006;Naylor, 2010;NSW Auditor General, 2013). Further, there is growing concern that such systemic inequity is contributing to an over-representation of Aboriginal people in prison (Anthony & Blagg, 2012;NSW Auditor General, 2013).…”

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“…Although the search terms included other native peoples (such as 'native American', 'American Indian', 'Maori', 'Inuit', 'minority', 'cultural adaptation', 'minority' and 'disadvantaged'), only papers related to indigenous Australians were found. An earlier review has considered reasons why it is difficult for indigenous Australians to obtain a driver licence (Cullen, Clapham, Hunter, Treacy, & Ivers, 2016). However, it did not consider interventions targeted at this group to assist them to gain a licence.…”