Darren E. Wishart

The Social Context of Motorcycle Riding and the Key Determinants Influencing Rider Behavior: A Qualitative Investigation

Objective: Given the increasing popularity of motorcycle riding and heightened risk of injury or death associated with being a rider, this study explored rider behavior as a determinant of rider safety and, in particular, key beliefs and motivations that influence such behavior. To enhance the effectiveness of future education and training interventions, it is important to understand riders’ own views about what influences how they ride. Specifically, this study sought to identify key determinants of riders’ behaviors in relation to the social context of riding, including social and identity-related influences relating to the group (group norms and group identity) as well as the self (moral/personal norm and self-identity). Method: Qualitative research was undertaken via group discussions with motorcycle riders (n = 41). Results: The findings revealed that those in the group with which one rides represent an important source of social influence. Also, the motorcyclist (group) identity was associated with a range of beliefs, expectations, and behaviors considered to be normative. Exploration of the construct of personal norm revealed that riders were most cognizant of the “wrong things to do” when riding; among those issues raised was the importance of protective clothing (albeit for the protection of others and, in particular, pillion passengers). Finally, self-identity as a motorcyclist appeared to be important to a riders self-concept and was likely to influence on-road behavior. Conclusion: Overall, the insight provided by the current study may facilitate the development of interventions including rider training as well as public education and mass media messages. The findings suggest that these interventions should incorporate factors associated with the social nature of riding in order to best align it with some of the key beliefs and motivations underpinning riders’ on-road behaviors.

Steering Clear of Driving After Drinking: a Tailored e-Health Intervention for Reducing Repeat Offending and Modifying Alcohol Use in a High-Risk Cohort

PurposeDigital interventions to reduce risk behaviours are emerging as effective public health measures; however, few have been applied to drink driving and associated alcohol use based on a harm reduction perspective. This paper reports on the design, development, and pilot of a novel intervention which aims to reduce repeat offending by first-time convicted drink driving offenders. It explores whether an online program is acceptable and user friendly and contains useful and relevant content, with a sample of first-time drink driving offenders recruited at the time of conviction.MethodBuilding upon existing research into interventions to reduce drink driving recidivism and problem alcohol use, a tailored program was designed to provide content specifically concerned with drink driving and with an additional component related to alcohol use. Following stakeholder and internal review, the ‘Steering Clear First Offender Drink Driving Program’ was subsequently piloted with 15 first-time drink driving offenders. Evaluative data was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively.ResultsThe pilot results indicate that the participants found the program to be user friendly, as demonstrated by high scores in relation to navigation, online delivery, engagement, avatar usage and straightforwardness. They reported that they found the content to be useful and relevant and that the key learning area was in relation to the consequences of drink driving.ConclusionOnline interventions for reducing risky behaviour such as drink driving may be useful and cost effective from a public health perspective. Potentially, they can directly address risky behaviours associated with alcohol use in high-risk cohorts that may not ordinarily receive intervention.

Reducing Reversing Vehicle Incidents in Australian Fleet Settings—A Case Study

Reversing vehicle incidents is a significant but often overlooked issues in organisations. Utilising three Australian organisations, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of reversing aids and a behaviour-change program in reducing reversing-related crashes in fleet settings. Reversing-related incidents increased from Time 1 to Time 2 in the organisation that did not implement a specific strategy to reduce their reversing-related crashes and in the organisation that implemented the reversing aids intervention. However, the increase was only statistically significant in the organisation that utilised the reversing aids technology. In this organisation, the odds of its drivers getting involved in a reversing incident has almost doubled from Time 1 and Time 2. In contrast, the frequency of reversing incidents in the organisation implementing the behaviour-change program has significantly decreased, with less than 50 % chance of its drivers being involved in a reversing incident from Time 1 to Time 2. The implications associated with these results will be discussed.

Development of proactive Safety Behaviour Scale within the work driving context

This study explores an alternative approach to managing safety issues within the work driving setting by developing and piloting a measurement tool that examines proactive safety behaviours among work drivers. A systematic literature review was conducted to develop the construct and items for the survey, which is then assessed using an expert panel (n = 5) and piloted with a sample of work drivers and supervisors involved in fleet-related activities (n = 37). Principal component analysis produced six internally consistent factors that reflect: protection of other drivers and fixing issues, volunteerism/helping, noticing and reporting, safety voice, problem prevention and feedback inquiry. Investigating a proactive approach in managing risks while driving for work could provide a practical contribution to the field of work driving safety.

PW 2205 Communication & decision-making for safety in supply chains

Previous research has found that supply chain factors can negatively affect Work Health and Safety (WHS) for workers in many industries. Further, communication and decision-making in work systems has been demonstrated to be critical to the effective management of hazards and safe work design in dynamic work environments. However, there is little available evidence about how legal requirements to ‘communicate, consult and cooperate’ are practiced in supply chain operations. There is also little available evidence about how regulation strategies can influence these factors across supply chains, and hence empower decision-making and WHS capability of at-risk workers. The objective of this research was to investigate: the motivators and barriers to improving health and safety in supply chains, including the role and influence of regulators; and the communication and decision-making pathways and practices across a construction supply chain in Queensland. This research contributes to a much-needed evidence base regarding mechanisms influencing health and safety across supply chains and the influence of regulation interventions. A sociotechnical risk analysis framework was used to chart the relationships, decision-making and communication points in a workplace setting involving the supply of a product and the management of an associated significant hazard (precast concrete piles) in the Queensland construction industry. Data was obtained through site observation, review of documents and semi-structured interviews with workers and managers from various levels in the supply chain. The client influenced many requirements with potential implications for safety, including a requirement for compliance, inspections and safety in design. However, the client also imposed a compressed construction timeframe and a design that was considered less safe. Workers involved in manufacture, construction and transport of the product were exposed to significant hazards. Information about managing these was obtained from various sources, including safety alerts produced by the regulator, and client procedures.