Citation

Pelz DE, Schuman SH. Highw. Res. News 1968; (33): 31-41.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1968, National Research Council, Highway Research Board)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Young males between 15 and 25 years of age have a death rate from motor vehicle accidents that far exceeds that of any other age group. A cross-section sample of licensed drivers aged 16-25 in a michigan county revealed that dangerous young drivers (with repeated accidents or violations or both), compared with safe drivers (who had reached the age of 19 or more with two years free from infractions) were more involved in cars, drove more miles during the year, were more aware of social pressures and tensions, and were more likely to use driving as an outlet for tensions. They were more likely to come from a working- class home, and less successful in school. The youngest drivers had the most accidents, but it was not until the dangerous years from 19 to 22 that their accidents became severe. These results suggest that tensions surrounding adulthood affected driving behavior. At this time, feelings of resentment against adult authority are likely to be high. It is concluded that driver educators must recognize and utilize young people's motivations to improve driver training.

Language: en