Evaluations of the National Driver Improvement Scheme (NDIS)

In 1999, the Department of Environment, Transport and Regions commissioned a report into the effectiveness of the National Driver Improvement Scheme (NDIS). The report by Cris Burgess and Paul Webley concluded a positive change in the attitudes and behaviours from those who had attended the scheme.

The NDIS began in 1991, then known as the Driver Rectification Scheme, from recommendations of the 1988 ‘North Report’ into road traffic law, stating “It must be in the public interest to rectify a fault rather than punish the transgressor”. The course was offered to those who had been involved in minor traffic offences as an alternative to court convictions with fines and/or license points. Recipient of the 1996 Prince Michael Road Safety, the scheme aims to modify erroneous driving behaviours and has now been adopted nationwide.

In 1999, the DETR commissioned a report into the effectiveness of the NDIS. An evaluation of the scheme was undertaken by Cris Burgess and Paul Webley to evaluate the immediate and longer-term effect of attendance to the program. Over 1,800 clients of the scheme contributed, with questionnaires examining driver behaviour and driver attitudes before and after attending the scheme.

Results showed almost 90% of participants felt the course offered an opportunity to examine areas of their driving. Substantial increases in the perceived seriousness of speeding were recorded, even after a 3-month follow up. Results indicated significant improvements in both driving related attitudes and self reported behavioural measures, suggesting the course has a positive effect on the clients.

For more information on this project, please see:
Burgess, C. and Webley, P. (1999). Evaluating the effectiveness of the UK’s National
Driving Improvement Scheme. Behavioural Research in Road Safety IX, TRL Report.