Positive role models needed for future drivers

30 May 2017

Growing evidence into positive role modelling shows parents are integral in preventing problem behaviour developing in their children.

A new parent campaign by the TAC, Strings, draws on this research and shows that children copy the driving behaviours of their parents and carers. Children begin learning to drive from five years old by watching the adults around them.

Social Learning Theory shows that humans learn many of their behaviours by observing other humans. The theory shows that certain types of models and outcomes are more influential than others.

For example, people are more likely to imitate behaviour if the role model:

• Has a positive, or desired outcome, from their behaviour
• Is liked or respected by the observer
• Is considered attractive or powerful by the observer, and
• If the observer sees similarities between themselves and the model.

Research also supports social learning theory where a parent who takes risks transfers this behaviour onto their children. Similar findings have also been found with relation to driving styles.

This research was also found that gender played a role in the role modelling of driving styles. These findings support other studies that have found that men's driving styles are influenced most by fathers and women are influenced by both parents.

Parents and carers can make a positive impact on their kids’ future driving habits. Role modelling is a powerful way to help keep children safe when they start driving and enter their riskiest years on the road.

More than 350 young drivers aged 18 – 25 years, have lost their lives in Victoria in the past 10 years – representing one in four or 25% of drivers lives lost in Victoria in this period.

In 2016, 19% of drivers who lost their lives were aged between 18 and 25 years, with this age group only representing around 10% of Victorian licence holders.