Appendix B: Focus group topic guide

National Debate: Topic Guide

1.1 Introduction

Good morning/afternoon, as we’ve already mentioned in our session introduction, the purpose of today’s workshop is to get your views and opinions on how to improve road safety in Scotland for younger people.

All your views are valid and important for the debate and I will be making sure everyone has the opportunity to express their opinions. There is no right or wrong answers — we simply want to gather your opinions on the most effective ways to improve road safety for young drivers.

Please note that the questions do not relate to any firm proposals on the part of Transport Scotland. At this stage we are simply gathering views.

The session will be recorded to assist writing up the findings but please be assured that comments will not be attributable to individuals and these recordings will only be heard by the study team at Atkins. The recordings will not be given to Scottish Government, and will be destroyed after analysis has been completed. Is everyone happy that this focus group will be recorded?

1.2 Section A: Warm Up/Ice-breakers

A1 - Firstly, can we just go around the group and introduce ourselves, by stating your name, age, whether or not you drive, and if you do, how long you have been driving for?

A2 - To get the session started, I’d just like you to do a quick practical exercise. Can you each look at the following list of things that affect the way people drive. These range from parental guidance to road conditions and driving training. Could you rank this list from 1 to X in order of how much you think each factor influences the way you drive? (With 1 having the most influence.) Note that there are no right or wrong answers, we just want to understand the factors that affect the way you drive as an individual. Assist / explain as necessary

Facilitator: Collect response.

Discuss within the group the option each member ranked the highest. Why does each member think this factor has the greatest influence over their driver behaviour?

A3 - What do you think are the main causes of accidents for 17-25 year olds in Scotland? Prompt if necessary: driver behaviour, speed, not paying attention, peer pressure, adverse driving conditions, alcohol / drug use etc.

1.3 Section B: Driver Training and Testing

In this section of the session we'd like to ask you some questions about training to learn how to drive.

B1 — Firstly, do you think the current driving test prepares learners well enough for driving conditions in Scotland? Why do you think this?

Prompt if necessary: does it cover enough practical issues — i.e. road conditions, road safety, how to drive in extreme weather conditions etc.

B2 — Do you think the practical driving test should be made harder so that young drivers are prepared for all road conditions in Scotland? This may include driving in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways. Why do you think this?

Can you explain why this would be a good idea / what would the benefits be to young people? (Prompt: how do you think it would impact driver behaviour and safety awareness?)

What are the reasons for this not being a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

In what ways do you think the practical driving test should be made harder? Prompt: i.e. longer test, motorway driving, town and rural driving etc.

B3 — Do you think that there should be a minimum period of training / practice before learners are able to take their practical test? Prompt if necessary: i.e. learners will have to undertake training / practice for a minimum of, say, 3 months before they are able to take their practical test

Can you give details as to why you think this would be a good idea / what would the benefits be to young people? (Prompt: what effect do you think this would have on young driver’s ability? How long do you think learners should be training / practicing before they are able to take their practical test?)

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

Have you any ideas for how this idea could be adapted so that it might work?

B4 — Do you think awareness courses would be a useful part of learning how to drive? Courses may cover a range of issues, including peer pressure, alcohol and drug use, speeding, seat belt use, driver responsibilities and the wider consequences of inappropriate behaviour, insurance requirements, traffic laws and the penalty point system, etc.

Can you give details as to why this would be a good idea / what would the benefits be to young people? (Prompt — how would it affect people’s driving / safety awareness / accident rates? Do you think they would work in encouraging young people to drive more safely? When should these courses be undertaken? With theory test? Pre Practical? Post practical before receiving licence?)

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

B5 — After gaining your full driving licence, how willing would you be / are you to participate in further driver training?

Can you explain why you think this would be a good idea / what would the benefits be to young people? Prompt: Do you think this would make you a better driver? When / how often do you think training should be taken?

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

B5 — What incentives would encourage you to take up further driver training or education — e.g. financial incentives or qualifications valued by employers?

Can you explain your reasoning for this?

How would these approaches work to encourage further training?

B6 - Finally, I’m going to ask you about Pass Plus.

Pass Plus is aimed at new drivers in the first year after passing their test. The six training modules cover driving in different conditions: in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways, and on motorways. The course takes at least six hours to complete, with the majority of this time spent in the car. The cost is in the order of £150, depending on location.

Pass plus is not compulsory. Do you think it should it be?

Can you explain why this would be a good idea? What would the benefits be to young people? (Prompt: What could make it more attractive to younger drivers?)

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea? (Prompt: What could make it more attractive to younger drivers?)

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

1.4 Section C: Graduated Licensing

In this section we will discuss suggestions for graduated licensing. Graduated licensing involves different stages of licensing reflecting increased levels of driver ability. It is used to build up experience and confidence for new drivers in lower risk conditions, before exposing them to more risky driving situations.

A graduated licensing scheme might, for example, involve holding a learner’s permit while learning to drive, a restricted or probationary license for a period after passing the practical driving test, before finally gaining a full driver’s license. This would apply to all new and inexperienced drivers, and not just to young people.

C1 — During the probationary period, certain restrictions or requirements might apply. To start off with, please can you look at the following list of possible restrictions, and as a group, using these stickers, tell me / indicate which options you would support, be unsupportive of, or not have any opinion on. Then rank them in order of your preference.

Assist / explain as necessary.

Facilitator: Collect response and use to introduce the following questions.

C2 — Should there be a probationary period for newly qualified drivers, aged 17 to 25 years? Why

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea / what would the benefits be to young people? (Prompt: How long should the probationary period be? What age group should it apply to?)

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

C3 — What is your opinion on the compulsory use of green ‘p’ plates to inform others that the driver is newly qualified? (As in Northern Ireland)

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea / what would the benefits be to young people? (Prompt: how long do you think P plates should be used?)

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

C4 — One of the options discussed here is a ban on driving at night:

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea / what would be the benefits to young people?

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people (Prompt if necessary: impact on lifestyle, whether it would have an impact on employment, socialise at different times, ignore the ban)

If you were allowed to drive at night, but only with someone over 21 who had held a full driving licence for 3+ years, how would this affect your lifestyle? Do you think this is a better option than a complete ban on night time driving for new drivers?

C5 — Another option was to limit the number of passengers you were allowed in your car at one time.

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea / what would be the benefits to young people?

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea? Why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people (Prompt if necessary: impact on lifestyle, whether it would have an impact on employment, socialise at different times, ignore the ban)

C6 — Another suggestion was as a ban on driving high performance cars. This may include vehicles with ‘sport’ enhancements such as large engines, those with high bhp, which may seem appealing, but may easily be used irresponsibly because newly qualified drivers do not have enough experience to effectively handle such high powered cars.

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea / what would be the benefits to young people?

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea? Why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people (Prompt if necessary: impact on lifestyle move jobs, socialise at different times, ignore the ban)

C7 — [If time allows] Should the progression between license stages, be based on time periods, experience, or age?

Can you explain why you think this?

How do you think new drivers should progress through stages of licensing? Practical tests? Theory tests? E-learning? Periods of time?

I’m now going to ask for your views on the drink drive limit…

C8 — Should there be a lower drink drive limit for newly qualified drivers, aged 17 to 25 years?

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea/ what would the benefits be to young people? (Prompt: do you think the lower drink drive limit should be for just those aged 17-25, or for all?)

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

[If time allows] Those who drive — are you aware what the current drink drive limit is? And can you say that you always know you are within this limit when driving?

1.5 Section D: Technology

In this section we’d like to talk about the use of technology to address young driver road safety issues in Scotland.

D1 — It’s possible to fit cars with data recorders that enable people — including parents and carers — to download information on how and when the vehicle is driven (i.e. speeds, harsh breaking / accelerating etc.) What are your views on this?

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea/ what would the benefits be to young people?

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

Would driving a car with this technology change the way you drive? Why?

D2 — Another type of technology that can be fitted into cars is speed limiters. These limit the vehicle’s maximum speed to the national speed limit. What are your views on this?

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea/ what would the benefits be to young people?

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

Would driving a car with this technology change the way you drive? Why?

D3 — Vehicles can also be fitted with ‘Alcolock’ technology — which stops the car being started if the driver is above the legal limit. What are your views on this?

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea/ what would the benefits be to young people?

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work?

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

Would driving a car with this technology change the way you drive? Why?

1.6 Section E: Enforcement

In this section, I’d like to talk about how driving restrictions are enforced to encourage safe driving

E1 — Should drivers who are found committing a driving offence be given the option of attending a driver awareness course rather than taking penalty points on their licence? The course would cover the risks and consequences of unsafe driving, such as speeding or using a mobile phone.

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea/ what would the benefits be to young people? (Prompt: Do you think these courses would have an impact on your driving ability / behaviour? Would this impact be for the short or long term?)

For what reasons wouldn’t this be a good idea / why wouldn’t it work? (Prompt: Do you think these courses would have an impact on your driving ability / behaviour? Would this impact be for the short or long term?)

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

E2 — Do you think the Police do enough to enforce safe driving amongst young people?

Can you explain why do you think this?

What else do you think the Police can do to reduce the amount of accidents involving younger drivers?

1.7 Section F: Other Education and Awareness

Now we’d like to talk about other education and awareness schemes to improve road safety.

F1 — Do you think social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, could be used to raise awareness about road safety in Scotland? What about mobile phone downloads (apps), blogging sites; You Tube; online gaming sites?

Can you explain why would this approach be a good idea / what would the benefits be to young people? (Prompt: How do you think these methods should be used? Would you make use of / pay attention to advertising and awareness campaigns in these formats?)

Can you explain your reasons for thinking this would be a good idea/ why wouldn’t it work? (Prompt: What do you think should be done to encourage use of this approaches?)

What would be the disadvantages for young people?

F2 — [for applicable groups] Do you think employers should have a responsibility to ensure their employees drive safely?

How do you think they should encourage safe driving?

Should employers provide young people who drive for work with additional driver training?

F3 - What role can parents or guardians play in raising awareness of road safety issues to young drivers?

Should parents be made more aware of their role in influencing young driver behaviour? How should this be done? (Prompt: how effective would advice / training / awareness be on you as a driver?)

F4 — Is there anything that would encourage you to drive less often? (Prompt if necessary: better social clubs, more frequent public transport, more reliable public transport, more localised groups / facilities?)

1.8 Section G: Final Question and Close (all groups to complete)

G1 - As a final task, can I ask you all to write down the three best ways you think we can improve road safety amongst younger drivers in Scotland. This can be any of the methods we’ve discussed today, or if you have your own ideas please include these.

Facilitator: Collect response.

G2 - Does anyone have any further thoughts or comments on how to improve road safety for younger drivers? Probe fully

That's the end of our session today, thank you all very much for participating and sharing your views on road safety issues. As a thank you, you can all collect £20 from my colleague*.

*Each respondent will be asked to sign upon receiving their money.