An exploratory study of professional driving instruction and encouraging the development of a self-regulated safety orientation in novice drivers

Novice drivers’ greatest crash risk occurs in the months immediately following the supervised learner period. This research aimed to explore whether elements of professional driving instruction have potential to reduce this risk. Five hundred and forty-four eligible Queensland learner drivers aged 16-19 years completed a voluntary, on-line survey regarding their professional instruction experience, driving behaviour and a motivation inventory framed by self-determination theory. Analyses found professional higher-order instruction predicted self-regulated safety orientations which negatively predicted engagement in risky driving behaviours. Professional higher-order instruction, with strategies encouraging a self-regulated safety orientation, has potential to reduce young novice drivers’ risky driving.