Social psychological aspects of driver behaviour and accident potential in younger drivers

Many studies have shown that young drivers (under 26 years) are over-represented in the accident statistics. Until recently, there has been limited research in the U.K. relating characteristics of young drivers with accident risk, other than analysis of statistics and studies of drink-driving. Many of these traditional approaches, which adopt the view of driving as being a predominantly skill based activity, are shown to be of limited use in explaining the driving behaviour of younger drivers (predominantly males) once a driver has acquired the necessary skills required to drive. After this stage, other influences have an increasing effect on driving behaviour. There is scope for a new multi-method approach concentrating on the social aspects of car driving behaviour. This thesis contributes to the understanding of car driving behaviour by examining a number of fundamental social issues which underlie car driver behaviour and which can be explained with reference to several psychological theories or hypotheses. Issues which are addressed include: driver ability and risk assessment, lifestyle, perceptions of cars and driving, peer and passenger effects, drinking behaviour and the car culture of young male drivers. Particular emphasis is placed on how and to what extent these affect younger male car driving behaviour. Two studies are reported. The first, which involved 439 drivers, identified a number of aspects of driver behaviour and performance which help to account for the different accident involvement rates across age whilst taking into account driving experience and exposure. The first study identified inter-group differences, the second explored, in more detail, intra-group differences evident within the younger male group (17-25 year olds). This involved interviewing 56 drivers, previously categorised as `safe' or `unsafe' drivers and giving them the opportunity to provide their own accounts and explanations for their driving behaviour based on their own realities and experiences. Results demonstrate the merit of such a qualitative approach and show that young drivers should not be treated or labelled as one homogeneous group. An argument is presented for further investigation into `young problem drivers' rather than the `young driver problem' which has been largely concentrated on to date. In-depth understanding of the driving phenomenon will assist in developing effective measures to overcome those characteristics of driving and social behaviour which are identified as contributory factors to accident involvement, such measures could involve education, training, publicity and policy changes.