Frequency of occurrence and illustrative examples of frames supporting passenger and night driving restrictions (n = 103), Australian print media, June to September 2004
| Frame (frequency of occurrence) | Examples |
|---|---|
| The tragedy of young lives lost: young drivers are high risk drivers (26) | “14% of young drivers have crashed in the past 12 months compared with 8% of older drivers” “The death on Tuesday night of an 18 year old schoolgirl, a passenger in a convertible driven by her 17 year old friend … (family and friends were) devastated by the news of this tragic accident” |
| Pity the parents (9) | “I think this is something mums and dads will welcome … they are worried sick that they might not come home” “I want as many safety precautions as possible – you can’t put a price on life” (Parent of deceased young driver) “It’s the worst duty we have to perform” (NSW Traffic Commander) |
| Moral duty: in the face of these statistics we must act (7) | “In the face of those statistical spikes … I believe I need to respond” (NSW Minister for Roads) |
| A small price to pay: minor inconvenience versus saving lives (11) | “Any policy that restricts access to what people perceive as their right does impinge on their civil liberties. But it comes down to how much do you put on a life—we have a strategy here we know will potentially reduce young driver serious injury and fatality by up to 30%” |
| Strong scientific evidence and community support: restrictions are saving lives overseas (23) | “In New Zealand, a driving curfew between 10pm and 5am, and passenger restrictions on young drivers, have been credited for a 63 per cent drop in the death rate for young New Zealanders” “… has been widely adopted overseas … more and more (US) States are imposing curfews … so far, 26 States have set passenger limits” “A survey of 400 residents found 53% thought teenage provisional drivers should not be allowed behind the wheel between 10pm and 5am, and 54% believed they should only carry fully-licensed passengers aged over 20” |
| Not as bad as they sound: restrictions can be made workable and practical (10) | “Exemptions from the restrictions for work and education would be an essential part of such a system” “NSW Roads Minster has ordered a discussion paper on such restrictions … any changes were subject to public comment and likely concessions” |
| It’s our best hope: other solutions are impractical or lack evidence (17) | “Intelligent speed adaptation will not be introduced in Europe before 2014. In that time, a lot more young people will die unnecessary, avoidable deaths on Australian roads” (news article in response to a suggestion that a satellite speed tracking system would be more effective than restrictions) |