Characteristics identifying young drivers at a higher risk of crashing

There is increasing evidence within road safety literature suggesting the existence of a subgroup of young drivers with an elevated risk of crashing. The aim of this thesis was to examine characteristics of young drivers (aged 16 to 24 years) that identify those with an elevated risk of crash involvement and to validate high-risk driver subtypes among different young driver populations. Young driver interventions might be more effective if tailored to the needs and motivations of these specific subgroups of young drivers identified as being at a higher risk of crash involvement. Based on questionnaire measures, cluster analysis identified four meaningful young driver subtypes in each of the young driver populations. High-risk young driver subtypes were more clearly differentiated among young drivers already identified by their driving record as high-risk (i.e., traffic offenders). Interventions that matched the needs of these high-risk subtypes were discussed. A 12-month follow up of driver records showed that high-risk subtypes continued to be detected for more traffic offences than other subtypes, and there was a trend of greater crash involvement. It is recommended that further research follow these driver records for a number of years to allow comprehensive validation of these subtypes.

• Record URL:
  • http://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/handle/2440/38941
• Supplemental Notes:
  • PhD thesis presented to School of Psychology, University of Adelaide.
• Authors:
  • Wundersitz, L
• Publication Date: 2007-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 5 vols (various pagings)

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drivers; High risk drivers; Highway safety; Human characteristics; Offenders; Risk taking; Traffic safety; Young adults
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road safety (human factors)
• ATRI Terms: Crash countermeasure; Crash proneness; Driver characteristics; Offender; Risk taking; Road safety; Young driver
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01387277
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 22 2012 10:16PM