Citation

Watters SE, Beck KH. Traffic Injury Prev. 2016; 17(2): 122-127.

Affiliation

a Department of Behavioral and Community Health , University of Maryland School of Public Health , College Park , MD 20742.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2015.1045063

PMID

26043806

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Young adults and teens are documented as the riskiest drivers on the road, and newer issues such as texting and driving are a growing concern. This study sought to determine the risk perceptions of young adults regarding various driving behaviors, their past experiences, how their social circles are structured, and how this might affect their driving.

METHODS: This study conducted qualitative research with 25 college undergraduate students to determine their peer and social influences regarding distracted driving. Data were analyzed and related to the Health Belief Model and past research on social influence.

RESULTS: While most participants felt their behaviors were set after learning to drive, they were, in fact, quite susceptible to the influence of those in their social circles (e.g., fear of judgment and accountability), and more broadly to social norms. Texting and driving was the largest and most topical distracted driving issue, and was also identified as very difficult to stop due to perceived barriers and the idea that intervening is rude. Participants identified low perceived susceptibility and severity (perceived threat) for a number of risky driving behaviors, including texting and driving.

CONCLUSIONS: Training is needed to encourage people to intervene and speak up regarding behaviors other than drinking and driving, and cues to action and campaigns should target intervention to increase self-efficacy, as well as norms, susceptibility, and common rationalizations for risky behavior.

Language: en