Young drivers at railway crossings: an exploration of risk perception and target behaviours for intervention

Abstract

Research into motorist understanding and behaviour at railway crossings is currently limited in Australia, despite 74 fatalities being recorded due to collisions between trains and motor vehicles from 1997 to 2002. The present study explored the knowledge, attitudes and self-reported behaviour of younger drivers aged 17-24 years, as an 'at risk' group. The objective of this study was to develop a formative understanding of the nature and underlying beliefs of younger drivers' behaviours at railway crossings, in order to inform specific crossing safety interventions for this group. Fifty-three young drivers from metropolitan and regional settings participated in semi-structured focused group interviews. Differences were detected between the groups, with regional participants displaying a higher level of risk-taking behaviours and lower risk perceptions. The results are discussed with reference to actual risk as indicated by a panel of experts in the field. Implications for intervention design targeting attitudes and behaviours are discussed.

Where do novice and experienced drivers direct their attention on approach to urban rail level crossings?

“…Intentional non-compliance with RLX signals occurs when drivers detect the train and the RLX warnings and understand the meaning of the warnings, but will nevertheless intentionally cross. A propensity to engage in risk taking or sensation seeking behaviour and a low perception of risk have both been found to contribute to intentional non-compliance at RLXs (Davey et al, 2008;Witte and Donohue, 2000). Experimental evidence suggests that illusory size-speed biases, which lead road users to underestimate the speed of large vehicles such as trains, could also contribute to intentional non-compliance (Clark et al, 2013).…”

Motor Vehicle Drivers’ Knowledge of Safely Traversing Highway-Rail Grade Crossings

“…Studies have reported differences in intentional and unintentional violations at railroad crossings. Intentional violations may also be a result of drivers having a low perception of risk (12) or being in a hurry (13,14).…”

Current Practice, Attitude, and Behaviour towards Road Safety Behaviour among the Drivers in Jakarta, Indonesia

“…Ranney et al, [12] To some extent, one of the main causes of road accident is drivers' attitude. The term 'attitude' itself means an individual desire to behave properly or poorly in relation to safety [4]. In the matter of attitude, the use of seat belts while driving influences the probability of accidents and injury [1].…”