Longitudinal Investigation of Psychosocial Risk Factors for Speeding Offences Among Young Motor Car Drivers

• NCJ Number: 203894
• Author(s): Peter G. Palamara; Mark R. Stevenson
• Date Published: November 2003
• Length: 93 pages
• Corporate Author: Injury Research Centre
• Sale Source: Injury Research Centre
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Downloaded January 27, 2004.

Annotation

This document discusses psychosocial risk factors for speeding offenses among young motor car drivers in Australia.

Abstract

Young Western Australian drivers represent 13.6 percent of the State’s licensed drivers but account for 34 percent and 30.5 percent of driver deaths and hospitalizations, respectively. Speeding behavior is a major contributor to the overrepresentation of young drivers in serious injury crashes. Using data collected for the Western Australian Young Driver Cohort Study, several research objectives were proposed. These objectives include determining the incidence and pattern of police issued traffic notices for speeding and associated demerit points; the extent to which driver psychosocial, behavioral, and driver training factors contribute to the risk of incurring traffic notice; and investigating the changes over time in identified risk factors for speeding and the effect of any penalties for speeding. Approximately 1,277 17-year-olds obtaining an A or E class motor vehicle drivers’ license under the previous, non-Graduated Driver Training and Licensing Program were recruited to the Western Australian Young Driver Cohort Study. This longitudinal cohort study of the sample of Western Australian drivers showed that the incidence of novice driver speeding offenses increased significantly after the first year of driving with a peak at 24 months and a decline thereafter. The results suggest that the vast majority of offenses are for speeding between 10 and 19 km/hour above the posted speed limit, with ‘excessive’ speeding offenses being highest in frequency in the first year and then declining in frequency thereafter. The unadjusted rates of the incidence of speeding drivers showed that males were more likely than females to incur one or more speeding infringements. Males were also more likely to be repeat speeding offenders and to incur their first speeding infringement far earlier in their licensure than females. Male gender, a high disposition for risk taking, high self-rated confidence and adventurousness as a driver, and the low level of practice of other health-related behaviors were significant risk factors for speeding offenses. 17 tables, 3 figures, 84 references