Bored Young Drivers Veering Toward Risky Behaviour: QUT

Research by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) has found young drivers, males especially, are taking risks on the road due to boredom.

As more of our nation’s winding highways of yesteryear become seemingly endless dual carriageways with strict speed limits sometimes lower than on the roads they replaced, instances of driver distraction have become a prominent road safety concern.  

Combine that with Australia’s stubborn insistence for automatic transmissions, and teenagers are finding that the freedom of the road isn’t as exciting as they thought it would be.

QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland (CARRS-Q) has found that young males are prone to creating their own entertainment when they find themselves bored behind the wheel.

This leads to risky behaviour, such as high-range speeding, reckless overtaking and mobile-phone use, so QUT is investigating ways to liven up the driving experience - without the risks.

Dr Ronald Schroeter said the university is looking to gadgets and games behind the wheel to keep young drivers entertained, but added ‘I-Spy’ was not on the agenda.

"Rather than demonising technologies like smartphones, Google Glass or head-up displays like those used by jet pilots to allow transparent images to be displayed on the windscreen of planes, my research is using these devices to provide fun and engaging stimulation that replaces the urge for risky driving behaviours," Dr Schroeter said.

Study