Driving Avoidance Among Novice Drivers in the Context of Driving Education Experiences: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Driving education serves as the initial structured framework through which novice drivers encounter traffic, making it essential for comprehending avoidance behaviors. This study examines the experiences of novice drivers who exhibit tendencies toward driving avoidance, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the subjective meanings behind these behaviors. The sample consists of 6 males and 4 females (10 participants in total) who obtained their driver's licenses within the last 3 years, are under 35, and self-report avoidance behaviors. Their ages range from 22 to 34, with a mean of 27.2. Analysis revealed four main themes as Instructor Characteristics and Expectations, Gender Dynamics and Learning Relationships, Development of Trust and Self-confidence, and Family/Friend Support. Findings indicated that a calm, supportive instructor approach significantly reduced participants' anxiety. Gender dynamics, especially for female learners, played a key role in the learning process. It was also observed that the exam-focused structure of education did not address real traffic conditions. Many participants found formal driving education inadequate and instead relied on family and friends for support. The study recommends restructuring driver education to include both technical and psychosocial aspects to support individuals in becoming active, safe drivers and to develop early interventions for driving-related anxiety and phobias. Early identification of avoidance tendencies during initial driver training interactions offers a crucial opportunity for preventive mental health practices and supporting long-term mobility and autonomy.

Keywords

• Driving avoidance
• driver education
• Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
• novice drivers

Direksiyon Eğitimi Deneyimleri Bağlamında Acemi Sürücülerde Sürüşten Kaçınma: Nitel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Direksiyon eğitimi, acemi sürücülerin trafik ortamıyla ilk yapılandırılmış etkileşimlerinden biridir ve kaçınma davranışlarının temellerinin anlaşılmasında kritik öneme sahiptir. Bu kapsamda bu çalışma, sürüşten kaçınma eğilimleri gösteren acemi sürücülerin direksiyon eğitimi deneyimlerini ve bu davranışların altında yatan öznel anlamları, Yorumlayıcı Fenomenolojik Analiz (YFA) kullanarak incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırma örneklemini, son 3 yıl içinde ehliyet alan, 35 yaşın altında olan ve kendi beyanlarına göre sürüşten kaçınma davranışları gösteren 6 erkek ve 4 kadın (toplam 10 birey) oluşturmaktadır. Katılımcıların yaş aralığı 22-34 olup ortalama yaş 27.2'dir. Analiz sonucunda direksiyon eğitiminin kaçınma davranışının gelişimindeki kritik rolünü vurgulayan dört ana tema (Eğitmen Özellikleri ve Beklentileri, Cinsiyet Dinamikleri ve Öğrenme İlişkileri, Güven ve Özgüven Gelişimi, Aile/Arkadaş Desteği) ortaya çıkmıştır. Bulgular, sakin ve destekleyici eğitmen yaklaşımının katılımcıların kaygı düzeylerini önemli ölçüde azalttığını göstermiştir. Cinsiyet dinamiklerinin, özellikle kadın kursiyerler İçin öğrenme sürecinde belirleyici rol oynadığı tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca, eğitimin sınav odaklı yapısının gerçek trafik koşullarına yönelik pratik gereksinimleri karşılamadığı gözlemlenmiştir. Kaçınma davranışları gösteren çoğu katılımcının resmi sürücü eğitimini yetersiz bulduğu ve bunun yerine aile/arkadaş desteğine başvurduğu belirlenmiştir. Çalışma, bireylerin aktif ve güvenli sürücüler olmalarını desteklemek amacıyla, sürücü eğitiminin hem teknik hem de psikososyal boyutlarını kapsayacak şekilde yeniden yapılandırılmasını; ayrıca sürüşe yönelik kaygı ve fobilerin gelişimini önlemeye yönelik müdahale yaklaşımlarına katkı gerekliliğini vurgulamaktadır. Bu bağlamda, sürücü eğitimine ilişkin ilk etkileşim anlarında gözlemlenebilecek kaçınma eğilimlerinin erken dönemde tespit edilmesi, hem koruyucu ruh sağlığı uygulamaları hem de bireyin uzun vadeli hareketlilik ve özerklik kapasitesinin desteklenmesi açısından kritik bir fırsat alanı sunmaktadır.

Keywords

• Sürüşten kaçınma
• direksiyon eğitimi
• Yorumlayıcı Fenomenolojik Analiz
• acemi sürücüler

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