Difficulties in engaging novice disqualified drivers in a longitudinal study into their behaviours and attitudes.

The presentation will explore the difficulties encountered in engaging South Australian drivers aged between 16 and 25 years whose drivers’ licence has been suspended in a longitudinal research project into the effectiveness of an intervention strategy. Suspended drivers are required to attend a 90 minute Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure “urchoice” workshop. Trained facilitators engage participants in an interactive group process that prompts them to recognize the need to employ safe driving techniques and explores strategies that would keep themselves and their mates safe. _x000D_
This quantitative study was commissioned to provide an evaluation of the impact of the urchoice workshops on participant attitudes. The evaluation began in March 2012 with 753 urchoice workshops conducted since with individual participants surveyed over a seven month timeframe. Data collection ceased at the end of January 2015. The methodology employed was complex due to the need to encourage participant engagement and ensure confidentiality whilst maintaining the ability to re-contact respondents at various intervals. _x000D_
The rate of responses was severely overestimated and the lessons learnt from the engagement process will be shared. _x000D_