Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Novice drivers and parents: exploring the feasibility of third-party policing in reducing young driver offending

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Crime Prevention and Community Safety Aims and scope

Abstract

Third-party policing involves police partnering with other individuals or organisations in order to prevent or control crime and disorder. Given the high level of young driver crash rates and offences, an intervention based on third-party policing may reduce both. This study explored the feasibility of using this approach with parents, who would be the third party, and young drivers in the Australian Capital Territory. Semistructured interviews with 16 parents and 11 of their children were conducted. The results suggest that given parents are supportive of the formal policing of young drivers and their willingness to impose additional restrictions on their children, that the introduction of an intervention based on a third-party policing framework is feasible. However, the lack of knowledge of GDL restrictions that apply to their child may make it difficult for parents to act as an enforcement authority in partnership with police. There is also the need to introduce a legal lever to support parents in their interactions with children and enable police to coerce parents into taking action.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Al Reesi, H., A. Al Maniri, S. Al Adawi, J. Davey, K. Armstrong, and J. Edwards. 2015. Prevalence and characteristics of road traffic injuries among young drivers in Oman, 2009–2011. Traffic Injury Prevention 17(5): 480–487. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2015.1107679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, S., K. Murphy, and L. Bates. 2017. What drives compliance? The effect of deterrence and shame emotions on young drivers’ compliance with road laws. Policing and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2015.1115502.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, K., C. Watling, and J. Davey. 2018. Deterrence of drug driving: The impact of the ACT drug driving legislation and detection techniques. Transportation Research Part F 54: 138–147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2018.01.014.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barkworth, J., and K. Murphy. 2015. Procedural justice policing and citizen compliance behaviour: The importance of emotion. Psychology, Crime & Law 21(3): 254–273. https://doi.org/10.1080/1068316X.2014.951649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L., S. Allen, K. Armstrong, B. Watson, M. King, and J. Davey. 2014a. Graduated driver licensing: An international review. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 14(4): 403–412.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L., S. Allen, and B. Watson. 2016a. The influence of the elements of procedural justice and speed camera enforcement on young novice driver self-reported speeding. Accident Analysis and Prevention 92: 34–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2016.03.023.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L., E. Antrobus, S. Bennett, and P. Martin. 2015. Comparing police and public perceptions of a routine traffic encounter. Police Quarterly 18(4): 442–468. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098611115589290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L., M. Darvell, and B. Watson. 2017. Young and unaffected by road policing strategies: Using deterrence theory to explain provisional drivers’ (non)compliance. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004865815589824.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L., J. Davey, B. Watson, M. King, and K. Armstrong. 2014b. Factors contributing to young driver crashes: A review. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal 14(3): 297–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L., A. Filtness, and B. Watson. 2018. Driver education and licensing programs. In Safe mobility: Background, challenges and solutions, ed. D. Lord and S. Washington. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L., D. Rodwell, and S. Matthews. 2019. Young driver enforcement within graduated driver licensing systems: A scoping review. Crime Prevention and Community Safety 21(3): 116–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L., D. Soole, and B. Watson. 2012. The effectiveness of traffic policing in reducing traffic crashes. In Policing and security in practice: Challenges and achievements, ed. T. Prenzler. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bates, L., B. Watson, and M. King. 2016b. The role of supervisors in ensuring learner river compliance with the road laws: An application of Akers’ Social Learning Theory. Paper presented at the 2016 Australasian road safety research, policing & education conference, Canberra, Australia.

  • Bates, L., B. Watson, and M. King. 2013. Mothers vs fathers as learner driver supervisors: Time commitment, driving activities and perceptions of risk. Paper presented at the 2013 Australasian road safety research, policing & education conference, Brisbane, Australia.

  • Bates, L., B. Watson, and M. King. 2010. Mobility and safety are conflicting goals for transport policy makers when making decisions about graduated driver licensing. International Journal of Health Promotion & Education 48(2): 46–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bean, C. 2005. Is there a crisis of trust in Australia? In Australian social attitudes: The first report, ed. S. Wilson, G. Meagher, R. Gibson, D. Denemark, and M. Western, 122–140. Sydney: UNSW Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Begg, D.J., J.D. Langley, R.L. Brookland, S. Ameratunga, and P. Gulliver. 2014. Pre-licensed driving experience and car crash involvement during the learner and restricted, licence stages of graduated driver licensing: Findings from the New Zealand Drivers Study. Accident Analysis and Prevention 62: 153–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, S., L. Mazerolle, E. Antrobus, E. Eggins, and A. Piquero. 2018. Truancy intervention reduces crime: Results from a randomized field trial. Justice Quarterly 35(2): 309–329. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418825.2017.1313440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brookland, R., D. Begg, J. Langley, and S. Ameratunga. 2014. Parental influence on adolescent compliance with Graduated Driver Licensing conditions and crashes as a restricted licensed driver: New Zealand Drivers Study. Accident Analysis and Prevention 69: 30–39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2013.06.034.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buerger, M.E., and L.G. Mazerolle. 1998. Third-party policing: A theoretical analysis of an emerging trend. Justice Quarterly 15(2): 301–327. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418829800093761.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, E.A., S.V. Masten, and K. Browning. 2014. Crash and traffic violation rates before and after licensure for novice California drivers subject to different driver licensing requirements. Journal of Safety Research 50: 125–138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2014.05.005.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke, R., and H. Goldstein. 2002. Reducing thefts at construction sites: Lessons from a problem-oriented project. In Analysis for crime prevention, vol. 13, ed. N. Tilley, 89–130. Monsey: Criminal Justice Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook, S., D. Shank, T. Bruno, N. Turner, and R.E. Mann. 2017. Self-reported driving under the influence of alcohol and cannabis among Ontario students: Associations with graduated licensing, risk taking and substance abuse. Traffic Injury Prevention. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2016.1149169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curry, A. 2017. Estimating young novice drivers’ compliance with graduated driver licensing restrictions: A novel approach. Traffic Injury Prevention 18(1): 35–40. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2016.1171857.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Curry, A., M. Pfeiffer, D. Durbin, and M.R. Elliott. 2015. Young driver crash rates by licensing age, driving experience, and license phase. Accident Analysis & Prevention 80: 243–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curry, A., M. Pfeiffer, and M.R. Elliott. 2017. Compliance with and enforcement of graduated driver licensing restrictions. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 52(1): 47–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.08.024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ehsani, J.P., K. Li, B. Grant, P. Gershon, S. Klauer, T. Dingus, and B. Simons-Morton. 2017. Factors influencing learner permit duration. Safety 3(1): 1–11. https://doi.org/10.3390/safety3010002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elvik, R. 2010. Why some road safety problems are more difficult to solve than others. Accident Analysis and Prevention 42: 1089–1096.

    Google Scholar 

  • Factor, R. 2014. The effect of traffic tickets on road traffic crashes. Accident Analysis and Prevention 64: 86–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2013.11.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallup. 2018. Confidence in institutions. Retrieved from http://news.gallup.com/poll/1597/confidence-institutions.aspx. Accessed 21 Mar 2019.

  • Gauld, C., I. Lewis, and K. White. 2014. Concealed texting while driving: What are young people’s beliefs about this risky behaviour? Safety Science 65: 63–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glendon, A.I. 2013. Influences on young drivers’ reported driving behaviours and perceptions: A focus group study. Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety 24(1): 16–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodwin, A.H., R. Foss, L.H. Margolis, and M. Waller. 2010. Parents, teens and the learner stage of graduated driver licensing. Washington: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grogger, J. 2002. The effect of civil gang injunctions on reported violent crime: Evidence from Los Angeles County. Journal of Law and Economics 45(1): 69–90. https://doi.org/10.1086/338348.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guttman, N. 2013. “My son is reliable”: Young drivers’ parents’ optimism and views on the norms of parental involvement in youth driving. Journal of Adolescent Research 28(2): 241–268. https://doi.org/10.1177/0743558411435853.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harbeck, E., and I. Glendon. 2013. How reinforcement sensitivity and perceived risk influence young drivers’ self reported engagement in risky driving behaviours. Accident Analysis and Prevention 54: 73–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jewett, A., R. Shults, and G. Bhat. 2016. Parental perceptions of teen driving: Restrictions, worry and influence. Journal of Safety Research 59: 119–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2016.09.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laird, R. 2014. Parenting adolescent drivers is both a continuation of parenting from earlier periods and an anticipation of a new challenge. Accident Analysis and Prevention 69: 5–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langley, J.D., A.C. Wagenaar, and D.J. Begg. 1996. An evaluation of the New Zealand graduated driver licensing system. Accident Analysis and Prevention 28(2): 139–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lennon, A. 2012. Has increasing the age for child passengers to wear child restraints improved the extent to which they are used? Results from an Australian focus group and survey study. Vulnerable Groups & Inclusion. https://doi.org/10.3402/vgi.v3i0.14975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maguire, E.R., B.V. Lowrey, and D. Johnson. 2017. Evaluating the relative impact of positive and negative encounters with police: A randomized experiment. Journal of Experimental Criminology 13(3): 367–391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-016-9276-9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manning, M., L. Mazerolle, P. Mazerolle, and P. Collingwood. 2016. Place managers in entertainment districts: The role of third party policing in shaping place manager actions. Policing and Society 26(8): 889–906. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2014.989848.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayhew, D. 2003. The learner’s permit. Journal of Safety Research 34: 35–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayhew, D., H. Simpson, S.A. Ferguson, and A. Williams. 1998. Graduated driver licensing in Nova Scotia: A survey of teenagers and parents. Journal of Traffic Medicine 26(1–2): 37–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazerolle, L. 2014. The power of policing partnerships: Sustaining the gains. Journal of Experimental Criminology 10(3): 341–365. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-014-9202-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazerolle, L., E. Antrobus, S. Bennett, and E. Eggins. 2017a. Reducing truancy and fostering a willingness to attend school: Results from a randomized trial of a police-school partnership program. Prevention Science 18(4): 469–480. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-017-0771-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazerolle, L., S. Bennett, E. Antrobus, and E. Eggins. 2017b. The coproduction of truancy control: Results from a randomized trial of a police-schools partnership program. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 54(6): 791–823. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022427817705167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazerolle, L., S. Bennett, E. Antrobus, and E. Eggins. 2012. Procedural justice, routine encounters and citizen perceptions of police: Main findings from the Queensland Community Engagement Trial (QCET). Journal of Experimental Criminology 8(4): 343–367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-012-9160-1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mazerolle, L., and J. Ransley. 2005. Third party policing. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCartt, A., N. Oesch, A. Williams, and T. Powell. 2013. New Jersey’s license plate decal requirement for graduated driver licenses: Attitudes of parents and teenagers, observed decal use, and citations for teenage driving violations. Traffic Injury Prevention 14(3): 244–258. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2012.701786.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCartt, A., and E.R. Teoh. 2015. Tracking progress in teenage driver crash risk in the United States since the advent of graduated driver licensing programs. Journal of Safety Research 53: 1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCartt, A., E.R. Teoh, M. Fields, K.A. Braitman, and L.A. Hellinga. 2010. Graduated licensing laws and fatal crashes of teenage drivers: A national study. Traffic Injury Prevention 11(3): 240–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, G., and O. Taubman-Ben-Ari. 2010. Driving styles among young novice drivers—The contribution of parental driving styles and personal characteristics. Accident Analysis and Prevention 42: 558–570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2009.09.024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nunn, J. 2018. The criminal histories of drug-drive offenders. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice 1: 1. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/pay026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peek-Asa, C., J. Cavanaugh, J. Yang, V. Chande, T. Young, and M. Ramirez. 2014. Steering teens safe: A randomized trial of a parent-based intervention to improve safe teen driving. BMC Public Health 14: 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-777.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poirier, B., E. Blais, and C. Faubert. 2018. Graduated driver licensing and differential deterrence: The effect of license type on intentions to violate the road rules. Accident Analysis and Prevention 110: 62–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prati, G. 2018. The effect of an Italian nationwide mandatory visibility aids law for cyclists. Journal of Transport and Health 9: 212–216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2018.03.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prenzler, T., M. Manning, and L. Bates. 2015. The implications of a harm perspective on terrorism, road safety, tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs and workplace health and safety. Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism 10(2): 88–101. https://doi.org/10.1080/18335330.2015.1090050.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ransley, J., and L. Mazerolle. 2009. Policing in an era of uncertainty. Police Practice and Research: An International Journal 10(4): 365–381. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614260802586335.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raymond, P., M. Johns, G. Golembiewski, R. Seifert, J. Nichols, and R. Knoblauch. 2007. Evaluation of Oregon’s graduated driver licensing program. Washington: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roman, G., D. Poulter, E. Barker, F. McKenna, and R. Rowe. 2015. Novice drivers’ individual trajectories of driver behavior over the first three years of driving. Accident Analysis and Prevention 82: 61–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2015.05.012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sargeant, E., K. Murphy, J. Davis, and L. Mazerolle. 2012. Legitimacy and policing. In Policing and security in practice: Challenges and achievements, ed. T. Prenzler. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, S., B. Morrongiello, and S. Colwell. 2014. Evaluating a model linking assessed parent factors to four domains of youth risky driving. Accident Analysis and Prevention 69: 40–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott-Parker, B., L. Bates, B. Watson, M. King, and M. Hyde. 2011. The impact of changes to the graduated driver licensing program in Queensland, Australia on the experiences of learner drivers. Accident Analysis and Prevention 43: 1301–1308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott-Parker, B., and K. Rune. 2016. Review of the graduated driver licensing programs in Australasia. Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety 27(4): 15–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Senserrick, T. 2009. Australian graduated driver licensing systems. Journal of the Australasian College of Road Safety 20(1): 20–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shope, J.T. 2006. Influences on youthful driving behavior and their potential for guiding interventions to reduce crashes. Injury Prevention 12(Suppl_1): i9–i14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shope, J.T. 2007. Graduated driver licensing: Review of evaluation results since 2002. Journal of Safety Research 38(2): 165–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simons-Morton, B. 2007. Parent involvement in novice teen driving: Rationale, evidence of effects, and potential for enhancing graduated driver licensing effectiveness. Journal of Safety Research 38(2): 193–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simons-Morton, B., J.L. Hartos, and K.H. Beck. 2003. Persistence of effects of a brief intervention on parental restrictions of teen driving privileges. Injury Prevention 9: 142–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Simons-Morton, B., J.L. Hartos, W.A. Leaf, and D. Preusser. 2005. Persistence of effects of the checkpoints program on parental restrictions of teen driving privileges. American Journal of Public Health 95(3): 447–452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, H.P., and G. Alpert. 2011. Joint policing: Third parties and the use of force. Police Practice and Research: An International Journal 12(2): 136–147. https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2010.508987.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smorti, M., S. Guarnieri, and S. Ingoglia. 2014. The parental bond, resistance to peer influence, and risky driving in adolescence. Transportation Research Part F 22: 184–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2013.12.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanojevic, P., D. Jovanovic, and T. Lajunen. 2013. Influence of traffic enforcement on the attitudes and behavior of drivers. Accident Analysis and Prevention 52: 29–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2012.12.019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steadman, M., J. Bush, S. Thygerson, and M. Barnes. 2014. Graduated driver licensing provisions: An analysis of state policies and what works. Traffic Injury Prevention 15(4): 343–348. https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2013.822493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strukcinsiene, B., V. Giedraitis, J. Raistenskis, A. Martinkenas, V. Strukcinskaite, R. Stukas, and S. Baysal. 2014. Similarities between self-reported road safety behavior of teenage drivers and their perceptions concerning road safety behavior of their parents. Accident Analysis and Prevention 24: 8–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2014.02.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taubman-Ben-Ari, O., O. Musicant, T. Lotan, and H. Farah. 2014. The contribution of parents’ driving behaviour, family climate for road safety, and parent-targeted intervention to young male driving behaviour. Accident Analysis and Prevention 72: 296–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2014.07.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tudor-Owen, J. 2019. The importance of ‘Blue Shirts’ in traffic policing. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice 1: 1. https://doi.org/10.1093/police/paz012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, C., J. Thompson, and M. Stevenson. 2017. Road trauma among young Australians: Implementing policy to reduce road deaths and serious injury. Traffic Injury Prevention 18(4): 363–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, J. 2015. Effective third-party policing partnerships or missed opportunities? Policing and Society 25(1): 97–114.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, J., P. Mazerolle, J. Ransley, and L. Mazerolle. 2017. Disrupting domestic ‘ice’ production: Deterring drug runners with a third-party policing intervention. Policing and Society. https://doi.org/10.1080/10439463.2016.1272602.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wells, H. 2008. The techno-fix versus the fair cop: Procedural (in)justice and automated speed limit enforcement. British Journal of Criminology 48: 798–817. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azn058.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wells, H., and L. Savigar. 2017. Keeping up, and keeping on: Risk, acceleration and the law-abiding driving offender. Criminology and Criminal Justice. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748895817738555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A. 2003. Teenage drivers: Patterns of risk. Journal of Safety Research 34: 5–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A., K. Braitman, and A. McCartt. 2011. Views of parents of teenagers about licensing policies: A national survey. Traffic Injury Prevention 12(1): 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A., W.A. Leaf, B. Simons-Morton, and J.L. Hartos. 2006. Parents’ views of teen driving risks, the role of parents, and how they plan to manage the risks. Journal of Safety Research 37: 221–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, A., A. McCartt, and L. Sims. 2016. History and current status of state graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws in the United States. Journal of Safety Research 56: 9–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2015.11.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeringue, M., and R. Laird. 2018. Does parental support enhance the link between restrictions and adolescents’ risky driving? Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology 56: 89–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2018.03.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by an NRMA-ACT Road Safety Trust grant. The research was conducted exclusively by the authors and has not been endorsed and is not guaranteed by the Trustees.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q), Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    David Belsham, Klaire Somoray & Alexia Lennon

  2. School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia

    Lyndel Bates

Authors
  1. David Belsham
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lyndel Bates
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Klaire Somoray
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Alexia Lennon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lyndel Bates.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Belsham, D., Bates, L., Somoray, K. et al. Novice drivers and parents: exploring the feasibility of third-party policing in reducing young driver offending. Crime Prev Community Saf 22, 153–172 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-020-00086-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41300-020-00086-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation