Citation

Begg DJ, Langley JD. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2001; 5.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a change in the prevalence of risky driving and thrill-seeking behaviour among a cohort of young adults from age 21 to 26 years. At 21 and 26 years of age, data were sought on the prevalence of a range of risky driving behaviours and thrill seeking behaviour. At both ages, 936 members of the cohort were administered a face-to-face interview, using a structured questionnaire that included items on these behaviours. The results showed that, at both ages, risky driving was a predominantly a male activity, but by 26 years of age many males had "matured-out" of these behaviours. At the same time, the desire to take part in thrill-seeking increased among the males. Among the females, there were few significant changes between ages 21 and 26 years but at both ages the prevalence of risky driving and thrill-seeking was relatively low. The results from this study confirm that risky driving behaviour is predominantly a young male activity.