Researchers from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Report Recent Findings in Public Health (Pathways linking car transport for young…

Health & Medicine Week

Researchers from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Report Recent Findings in Public Health (Pathways linking car transport for young adults and the public health in Northern Ireland: a qualitative study to inform the evaluation of ...)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health & Medicine Week -- Researchers detail new data in Health and Medicine - Public Health. According to news reporting originating in London, United Kingdom, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, "Novice drivers are at relatively high risk of road traffic injury. There is good evidence that Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) schemes reduce collisions rates, by reducing exposure to risk and by extending learning periods."

The news reporters obtained a quote from the research from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, "Legislation for a proposed scheme in Northern Ireland was passed in 2016, providing an opportunity for future evaluation of the full public health impacts of a scheme in a European context within a natural experiment. This qualitative study was designed to inform the logic model for such an evaluation, and provide baseline qualitative data on the role of private cars in health and wellbeing. Nine group interviews with young people aged 16-23 (N = 43) and two group interviews with parents of young people (N = 8) were conducted in a range of settings in Northern Ireland in 2015. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Informal car-pooling within and beyond households led to routine expectations of lift provision and uptake. Experiences of risky driving situations were widespread. In rural areas, extensive use of farm vehicles for transport needs meant many learner drivers had both early driving experience and expectations that legislation may have to be locally adapted to meet social needs. Cars were used as a site for socialising, as well as essential means of transport. Alternative modes (public transport, walking and cycling) were held in low esteem, even where available. Recall of other transport-related public health messages and parents' existing use of GDL-type restrictions suggested GDL schemes were acceptable in principle. There was growing awareness and use of in-car technologies (telematics) used by insurance companies to reward good driving. Key issues to consider in evaluating the broader public health impact of GDL will include: changes in injury rates for licensed car occupants and other populations and modes; changes in exposure to risk in the licensed and general population; and impact on transport exclusion. We suggest an important pathway will be change in social norms around offering and accepting lifts and to risk-taking."

According to the news reporters, the research concluded: "The growing adoption of in-car telematics will have implications for future GDL programmes and for evaluation."

For more information on this research see: Pathways linking car transport for young adults and the public health in Northern Ireland: a qualitative study to inform the evaluation of graduated driver licensing. BMC Public Health, 2017;17():26-39. BMC Public Health can be contacted at: Biomed Central Ltd, 236 Grays Inn Rd, Floor 6, London WC1X 8HL, England. (BioMed Central - www.biomedcentral.com/; BMC Public Health - www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpublichealth/)

Our news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained by contacting J. Green, London Sch Hyg & Trop Med, Fac Public Hlth & Policy, London WC1H 9SH, United Kingdom. Additional authors for this research include R. Steinbach, N. Christie, M.P. Mullan and L. Prior (see also Health and Medicine - Public Health).

Keywords for this news article include: London, United Kingdom, Europe, Public Health, Health and Medicine, Transportation, Car Transport, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.