Applying behavioural science to road safety

Human behaviour is very complex, with road user behaviour an important pillar of the Safe System approach. Typical behavioural challenges for road safety include distraction, speeding and risk-taking behaviours, among others.  Behavioural change approaches are an important, and often very cost effective, part of the mix of solutions to road safety. Considerable opportunities exist in this space, as comparatively little time and effort is usually invested in understanding the factors underlying individual behaviour and designing solutions that target these factors. With a mix of theoretical and practical work, this unit will focus on an understanding of individual behaviour in a way that identifies opportunities for change. This will involve unpacking public policy challenges and identifying real-life behavioural solutions. This involves prioritising behaviours and target audiences and understanding underlying drivers of behaviour and potential solutions. You will also learn to work collaboratively to design, test and evaluate behaviour change interventions.