Evaluation of the Reducing Aggressive Driving (RAD) Program (MUARC Report 360)

With the support and collaboration of the ACT Road-Safety Fund, the research team developed the prototype Reducing Aggressive Driving program (RAD). The RAD is a behaviour change program designed to reduce aggression in drivers. The RAD focuses on instilling knowledge, as well as modifying the key psychological aspects motivating driver behaviour. The key behaviour modification techniques used to motivate safer on- road behaviour include feedback, goal setting and group discussion. The aim of this project was to evaluate the RAD program and its effectiveness in reducing anger and aggressive driving. Ten two-hour RAD sessions were delivered via zoom between April and June, 2021 with a total of 5 to 14 participants in each. Overall, 94 drivers (Mean age = 38 years; 38% drove in the ACT) completed one RAD session. Process evaluation showed a high degree of support for the RAD, with 87% of participants saying it helped them generate realistic strategies to avoid aggressive driving. The effectiveness of these strategies was measured via online questionnaires regarding anger tendencies and aggressive behaviours one month, and four months after the RAD. Scores for these were compared to baseline measures taken before participation in the RAD. A total of 67 participants completed both follow up measures (28% attrition). Self-reported anger and aggression decreased after the RAD and this effect remained significant at the four month follow up. Thus, providing evidence of the RAD in reducing these dangerous behaviours. Further research is needed to objectively measure changes in behaviour and to support broader roll-out of the RAD.