YOUTH AND TRAFFIC SAFETY

This paper summarizes the discussions on youth and traffic safety. It points out the unanimity of opinion with regard to the nature of the problem. Young people have more accidents and more violations, and are over-represented in fatal crashes when compared to drivers in older age groups. The reasons for this over-representation are complex--age and inexperience are of primary importance. Sex is a third important factor--males have a worse driving record than females. Further discussion revealed that the pattern of driving must be considered in order to provide a total explanation of the phenomenon. Several discussants suggested that the level of risk-taking was important. Discussion on polydrug effects and traffic safety was confined to the use of alcohol and marijuana. Considerable discussion was focused on the relative value of the experimental and epidemiological methods, particularly in the context of drugs other than alcohol. A strong sense of pessimism was expressed about the potential for countermeasures.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Full title of publication is Alcohol, Drugs and Driving: Abstracts and Reviews in Alcohol and Driving.
• Corporate Authors:

  Brain Information Service

  California University, Center for Health Science
  Los Angeles, CA  United States  90024
• Authors:
  • Clayton, A
• Publication Date: 1985-6

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 107-110
• Serial:
  • ALCOHOL, DRUGS AND DRIVING
  • Volume: 1
  • Issue Number: 1-2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Adolescents; Alcoholic beverages; Countermeasures; Drivers; Drugs; Fatalities; Gender; Hazards; Knowledge; Marijuana; Risk assessment; Teenage drivers; Traffic crashes; Traffic safety; Traffic violations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Experience
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00452028
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 208
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 31 1986 12:00AM