Driving violations observed: An Australian study

Abstract

This study analyses 2765 cases of driving behaviours in three Australian states – New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Data were gathered from in-car coordinated video and audio recording sequences in free-flowing traffic along two-, three- and four-lane highways with varying speed limits on all days of the week in daylight and fine weather conditions. Explanatory variables included driver age group and gender, passenger characteristics and vehicle age and type. Response variables included driving violations and other driving behaviours, including lane use, speeding, close following (tailgating), driver's hands position and mobile phone use. Data were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. By focusing upon vehicle and driver characteristics, and their impact on driving behaviours, including identified violations, this study explores some implications both for future research and for traffic policy makers.

Keywords:

• Driver behaviours
• Driver characteristics
• Driving culture
• Driving violations
• Speeding
• Tailgating

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Kate Herkes and Christine McKee for assistance with data gathering, Airom Bleicher, Christine Foley and Danielle Sutton for assistance with data coding and qualitative analysis, the Australian Research Council for funding the research Exploring dimensions of driving culture under the Small Grants Scheme, two anonymous referees for helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper.