Australia, like many countries, has committed to the Vision Zero approach. This is an ambitious strategy aiming to eliminate road deaths and serious injuries. National and state road safety strategies now include interim targets to significantly reduce fatalities and serious injuries by 2030, with the ultimate goal of zero by 2050. Achieving these targets requires innovative, evidence-based approaches, including the application of psychological science to influence driver behaviour.
This presentation introduces two behaviour change programs that exemplify new directions in applied psychology, targeting two critical risk factors: aggressive driving and fatigued driving.
Both programs are grounded in psychological principles and use similar intervention methods to help drivers identify and manage situations that increase their risk of unsafe behaviour. The first, Reducing Aggressive Driving (RAD), funded by the ACT Road Safety Fund, was delivered to the general population and focused on helping participants recognise triggers of anger behind the wheel and develop constructive coping strategies. The second, Understanding and Managing Fatigue in the Workplace, funded by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), addressed fatigue-related driving risks within a workplace context, where long hours and demanding schedules heighten vulnerability to fatigued driving.
Central to both interventions is a reflective process that encourages participants to explore personal risk scenarios and build tailored strategies for safer behaviour. Evaluation of RAD showed that participants self-reported reduced anger and aggressive driving following the program, with these improvements sustained at a three-month follow-up. In the fatigue program, participants demonstrated measurable changes in sleep patterns—specifically, longer sleep durations—and reported fewer signs of driving-related fatigue after completing the intervention.
These outcomes highlight the effectiveness of psychologically informed, context-sensitive behaviour change programs in reducing road safety risks.