Age differences in risky driving

The present paper examines age differences in reported risky driving (e.g. drinking and driving, aggressive driving, non-use of seat-belts), other risky behavior (e.g. heavy use of alcohol, use of illicit drugs) and traffic accident and violation involvement. The results are based on a national survey of ∼ 10 000 respondents aged 16–69 who were interviewed during a telephone survey. Young drivers (16–24) were not only more likely to engage in risky driving and have higher accident and violation rates (corrected for distance traveled) but they were also more likely to report engaging in other risky behaviors. The 20–24 age group was generally more likely than the 16–19 age group to report risky behavior, whether driving related or not, while the 16–19 age group tended to have higher accident and violation rates. Similar age differences were observed for both male and females, although the age effect was more pronounced for males. Risky driving, the other risky behaviors and accident and violation involvement were all positively and significantly correlated but the magnitude of the correlation was modest. Potential programs for promoting safer driving among youth are discussed.