Acceptance of and engagement in risky driving behaviors by teenagers

Adolescence,  Winter, 2004  by Sheila Sarkar,  Marie Andreas

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Questionnaire

For both groups, attitudes concerning driving behaviors were covered in a series of questions. Participants were asked to rate six negative driving issues as to how dangerous they perceived them to be: speeding, drunk driving, sleepy driving, distracted diving, slow driving, and angry driving. Rating scores were on a 5-point Likert type scale, which ranged from least dangerous (1) to most dangerous (5). Participants were also asked to list what speed they felt was too slow on a freeway, and what they considered speeding on a freeway.

Exposure to risky driving was measured by a self-report of riding in a vehicle in which the driver was engaging in the following activities: drunk driving, drag racing, reckless driving, and taking illegal drugs prior to driving. Because the last item was introduced late in the survey, responses were not included in the analysis. Participants were asked if they had ever ridden in a car in which the driver was engaging in these activities, and with whom (friend, sibling, parent, or other). Traffic violators were asked if they themselves had engaged in the risky behavior. They were also asked about the level of concern they had for various drivers in their lives, what driving habits those drivers exhibited, and what mildly aggressive driving reactions (yelling, rude gestures, honking) were acceptable. Questions concerning acceptable cell phone usage while driving were also included.

Procedure

The survey was briefly described to participants in both groups and asked to complete it prior to a seminar on driving behavior. Participants were given the option not to complete the survey if they felt uncomfortable with it at any time. Approximately 60% of the students completed the survey.

RESULTS: STUDENT DRIVERS

In terms of rating of dangerous driving behaviors, drunk driving was considered the greatest danger, with sleepy driving, speeding, angry driving, distracted driving, and slow driving following in order (see Table 1).

For personal exposure, 21.8% said they had been in a car with a drunk driver, 24.3% had ridden with someone who was drag racing, and 40.9% had ridden with a reckless driver.

Those participants who reported more mildly aggressive behaviors by their parents (yelling, rude gestures, honking/flashing lights) viewed such behaviors as more acceptable (r = .306; p < .000).

Exposure to Drunk Driving

Analysis revealed that participants who reported being in a car with a drunk driver were more likely to have also ridden with a driver who was drag racing, [chi square](1) = 117.58, p < .001, or driving recklessly, [chi square] (1) = 117.28, p < .001. A comparison of means revealed that those participants exposed to drunk driving rated the behavior as less risky, t = 3.97, p < .001, than did those participants who had not been exposed to a drunk driver. Participants who been exposed to drunk driving also reported less seatbelt use, [chi square] (1) = 5.97, p < .05, than did other participants (see Table 2).