Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference, 2000, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Paper

There has been increased public concern about the increase in car theft in Australia. A high proportion of cars is stolen by young people in order to joyride (stealing cars for short-term transport or for nonutilitarian purposes). This paper is based on the outcomes of a two-year qualitative research study that examined the motivations of youth as to why they became involved in the culture of joyriding behaviour. The outcomes of this project highlight a number of diverse factors across race, class and gender lines. The paper concludes with a series of intervention strategies for reducing joyriding behaviour based on an integrated education programme and the introduction of motor projects.