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On the Road: a driver education program in New South Wales

Overview

The program was developed in response to the high levels of driving offences and road crashes among Aboriginal communities of New South Wales. The main aim of the program is to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system as a result of road traffic offences.
A number of barriers for Aboriginal people to obtaining a driver’s licence were identified:

  • difficulty in accessing and reluctance to use the regional Road and Traffic Authority service centre
  • relatively low levels of literacy
  • disqualification of licence due to unpaid fines
  • changes to licensing procedures

The program is set up to assist Aboriginal people to obtain or regain a driver’s license, by offering support to overcome these barriers.

Principles

The project was developed by Lismore Adult Community Education in partnership with local Aboriginal community members and service providers. It was then funded by the Crime Prevention Division in partnership with the Roads and Traffic Authority and the Motor Accidents Authority.

The participants have access to computerised Driver Knowledge testing and outreach licence testing in Aboriginal Land Councils. Driving lessons and numeracy and literacy assistance is also provided. Driver mentoring, vehicle systems and maintenance training, basic computer and first aid training are some of the additional services provided by the program.

An important feature of the program is the network of partnerships at the local level, including collaboration with local Aboriginal elders, community organisations and with services providers for the Aboriginal communities.

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Evaluation

The program was evaluated by The George Institute in 2005. Between 2000 and 2005, 520 people enrolled in the Driver Education Program. That is, 22% of the eligible Aboriginal population accessed the program. The program has a high level of female participation, which is beneficial, as women appeared to have a significant amount of driving offences.

Participation is spread evenly across remote locations and regional centres, although having access to a community centre increased the chance of individuals accessing the program.

Some of the results of the evaluation include:

  • 59 people had obtained their learner’s license
  • 25 people had obtained their ‘P’ plate license
  • 6 people had obtained a ‘Light Rigid’ vehicle license
  • 89 people had received assistance with fine negotiation
  • 16 people had been able to find employment as a result of having completed the program.
  • a number of Aboriginal people have been assisted to become Justices of the Peace

The project contributed to improved self esteem of the participants. Improvements in terms of reductions of road crashes or contact with the justice system were difficult to determine, mainly because of data problems (such as the lack of identification of Aboriginality in road crash or licensing data, the absence of a comparison group, and the relatively short running period).

Conclusion

The program confirms many of the elements of best practice in Aboriginal community interventions. A large part of its effectiveness is due to the partnerships and collaborations, which have enhanced the program’s standing with the Aboriginal community and service providers. The program’s impact has gone further than the initial aim of helping people (re) obtain their drivers’ licence, and has also had a positive effect on employment, literacy, increased access to further study, and improved self-esteem.

More information

For more information about the Driver Education Program, contact the New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority, website: http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/.

References

  1. The George Institute (2005) On the road - Lismore driver education program evaluation [executive summary]. Retrieved 22 May 2006 from http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/
    View publication (PDF - 52KB)
  2. http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/cpd/ll_cpd.nsf/pages/CPD_projects#driver
  3. Styles T, Edmonston C (2006) Australian Indigenous road safety: 2005 update. (Road safety research report CR225) Canberra: Australian Transport Safety Bureau
    View HealthInfoNet abstract
    View report (PDF - 569 KB)

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Last updated: 24 August 2007