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Citation |
Begg DJ, Langley JD. N. Zeal. Med. J. 1999; 112(1080): 9-12. |
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Affiliation |
Injury Prevention Research Unit, University of Otago, Dunedin. dbegg@gandalf.otago.ac.nz |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 1999, New Zealand Medical Association) |
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DOI |
unavailable |
PMID |
10073158 |
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Abstract |
AIM: To describe the road safety practices of young adults in New Zealand. METHOD: Face to face structured interviews, seeking information on a range of road safety practices, were conducted with 948 members of the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study cohort when they were 21 years old. RESULTS: In the 30 days before the interview, 49% of the males and 32% of the females reported driving within two hours of drinking alcohol; 19% males and 8% females reported driving after drinking too much to perhaps be able to drive safely: and 25% males and 9% females reported driving after using marijuana. Also, 25% males and 6% females reported that they "often" drove fast just for the thrill of it, and 38% males and 11% females reported "often" driving faster than 120 kph on the open road. Seatbelt use as a driver was reported as "always" or "nearly always" by 87% of the males and 95% of the females, but as a rear seat passenger it was 34% for males and 47% for females. CONCLUSIONS: Unsafe road traffic practices, especially among males, were unacceptably high. Continued efforts are required to find new ways of addressing these issues. Language: en |