ANNEX D: TOPIC GUIDE - DEPTH INTERVIEWS - DISQUALIFIED DRIVERS
Research introduction
- Moderator and research introduction, explain nature of research: To explore attitudes of drivers in Scotland to drinking alcohol and driving.
- Discussion guidelines:
- No right or wrong answers; only personal opinions matter
- Emphasise that no one is here to judge anyone; what is important is they give honest views and opinions
- TNS an independent research agency, so please feel free to be very honest about thoughts
- All comments made are strictly confidential and will not be attributed to individuals ( MRS code of conduct)
- Turn off mobile phone
- Taped for internal analysis purposes only
- Session will last around an hour
Respondent introduction
Who they are; (where they live); occupation; main use of car; main social activity Probe Any changes in drinking patterns in recent years - where / when / how much
The disqualification occasion
Explain: Would like to explore the circumstances in which came to be disqualified for driving when over the limit.
- When did this happen / how long ago.
- Talk me through the circumstances/situation
- How much an isolated incident, or drink/drive regularly before being caught. For how long been doing it. Types of occasion
- Aware at the time of issues around drinking and driving - quantities, legal limit, penalty for getting caught. If so, have any effect on behaviour or not. Explore. If not, would it have made any difference
- What were thoughts on drinking and driving before getting stopped
- On that occasion, how much had to drink. Conscious that might be over the limit or not
- The decision to drive. Thinking at that stage. Have any hesitation about doing so or not. If so, explain. Why decide to drive / benefits of doing so
- Consider any risks in doing so. What possible risks. See any likelihood of getting stopped or not. Why not
- What led to getting stopped / how did it happen. How feel at the time. Aware that might be over the limit / expect to fail or not. How react to being told.
- How feel at the time when failed, and the next day.
- What was the outcome - loss of licence? Anything else/other consequences? What you expected or not. Worse? Any surprising effects/ things that have happened as a result
- What were the worst aspects after caught?
- Practical - effect on lifestyle, job, insurance etc
- Emotional - who tell and what was their reaction. How did people react. Any effect on relationships
- How feel personally - describe emotions - annoyance, guilt, embarrassment, regret, remorse, ambivalence/fate
- If in same situation again, whether would make the same decision to drive or not. Explore. What do differently
Current situation / future
- Whether driving again and, if so, for how long
- Have attitudes towards having a drink and driving changed at all. In what ways. Describe current attitudes / behaviour
- What effect has the experience of getting caught had on own attitudes / behaviour in relation to drinking and driving. What aspects of this experience have had the most effect
- Ever have a drink and then drive nowadays. Describe circumstances. How much. See as having a safe limit, or not bothered. How judge what is 'safe'. Explain thinking
- Ever drive nowadays when think might be over the limit. Circumstances when might / might not
- What see as the risks, if any. How much of a risk. What might discourage
- If don't drive after drinking, explore. What do nowadays / how behave differently. Don't drink at all if have car, or don't drive if have a drink. Explain decisions
Drinking and driving more generally
- How common is drinking alcohol and driving nowadays?
- Have people's attitudes towards drinking and driving changed in the last couple of years? In what way? Amongst whom? Do more people have a drink and drive? Do fewer? Source of impressions
- How feel about it personally - a problem or not
- How go about trying to reduce / what measures take. Reducing limit? More active policing / random testing?
- What types of messages put across / what might influence or deter
- Based on your experience, what discourages you, if anything, from doing it again
- Your advice to anybody thinking of driving after a few drinks? Why?
Summing up
- How feel about the evening's discussion. Anything affected own attitudes towards having a drink and driving? What, and in what way.
Thank and close