'Safe' and 'unsafe' - a comparative study of younger male drivers

Abstract

It is well established that younger drivers, particularly 17-19 year olds, are over-represented in the casualty rates. However, there is still disagreement as to why this is the case. An earlier study showed that a substantial minority (about 35%) of young male drivers can be categorised as 'unsafe'. The present study, which was undertaken at the University of Southampton by the Department of Psychology and the Transportation Research Group, was a development from, and enhancement of, this earlier study. It sought to investigate, in more detail, a number of factors which might explain the differences evident in driver behaviour and performance within the younger male groups (17-25 year olds). The earlier study had identified within-group differences; this study sought to explore some of the more general lifestyle factors by giving young drivers the opportunity to provide their own accounts and explanations for their driving behaviour based on their own realities and experiences. General lifestyle issues were shown to be important factors in car driver behaviour. More of the 'safe' drivers had regular girlfriends/partners, and in turn, spent more time with these partners than the 'unsafe' drivers who tended to spend more time with male friends. Drivers with regular partners or in long standing relationships felt they had matured or 'grown up' over the period since the initial survey. Drivers with debts or mortgages spent less money on cars and 'going out', and stated that such factors had affected their driving behaviour. 'Unsafe' drivers were more influenced by, and more exposed to, unsafe driving by their parents and peers than were the 'safe' drivers. Many of the issues identified in this study are not easy to address. Legislation and engineering improvements can go so far but cannot, on their own, directly affect attitudes. Benefit will be gained from the opportunity for young people to explore and discuss these social aspects of driving in a constructive and encouraging environment through, for example, health education or personal development classes in schools and colleges, as well as during driver training. For persistent offenders or accident involved drivers, attention should be given to constructive rectification schemes, rather than merely to stiffer penalties and greater skills training and assessment. The aim must be to create a social environment whereby driving with responsibility and consideration becomes the norm, rather than the current situation in which many young drivers use risky driving as a way to acquire and enhance their reputations.