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Banned drivers putting community at risk

25 June 2008

Cars

The study found that banned drivers were up to four times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than legal drivers.

A Monash study has found banned Victorian drivers are putting other road users at risk by flouting the law and continuing to drive.

Researchers Belinda Clark and Dr Irene Bobevski from the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) said making it compulsory for drivers to carry their licence at all times would make law enforcement more effective. The researchers interviewed 40 disqualified Victorian drivers for the study, the first of its type in Victoria in 30 years.

Sixty per cent admitted driving either immediately after being banned or some time during their licence disqualification – and most didn’t consider themselves a danger to other road users and didn’t think they would get caught.

Several banned drivers said they had avoided being caught by giving false details when pulled over by police or because their licence had not been checked at a random breath test (RBT) station. 

Ms Clark said banned drivers were up to four times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than legal drivers.

“Many banned drivers are in denial about the risk they pose to the community and that is a major concern considering about 50,000 Victorians are disqualified from driving each year,” Ms Clark said.

“We are calling for the creation of a rehabilitation program for Victorian banned drivers aimed at changing these alarming attitudes.”

The researchers also called for other initiatives, including:

  • a comprehensive media campaign to increase banned drivers’ perception they will be caught;
  • strengthened enforcement practices, including more licence checks of drivers at RBT stations;
  • making it compulsory for all drivers to carry licences; and
  • exploring the feasibility of introducing licences containing scannable microchips.

The most common reason for bans among the study participants was drink driving (22 drivers), excessive speeding (10), and accumulation of demerit points (five).

Only a small minority of drivers in the study said they had attempted to comply with their bans by reorganising work and social commitments, using public transport and removing easy vehicle access.