NCJ Number
58085
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 10 Dated: (MARCH 1977) Pages: 5-15
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
EXPLANATIONS ARE OFFERED FOR THE POOR DRIVING RECORD OF LESS-INTELLIGENT DRIVERS, AND SUGGESTIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR PROVIDING AID TO SUCH OFFENDERS.
Abstract
AN AUSTRIALIAN STUDY OF DRIVING OFFENSES IN YOUNG MALES COMPARED THE DRIVING RECORDS OF 400 SUBJECTS WITH AN IQ OF 100 OR OVER (GROUP A) WITH A SIMILARLY SELECTED GROUP OF 400 FROM THE SAME FOUR HIGH SCHOOLS, BUT WITH AN IQ OF 90 OR LESS (GROUP B) (BOYCE AND DAX, 1973, 1974). IT WAS FOUND THAT THOSE IN GROUP B HAD OBTAINED THE SAME NUMBER OF DRIVING LICENSES AS THOSE IN GROUP A; HOWEVER, THE LESS INTELLIGENT SUBJECTS HAD STATISTICALLY MORE TRAFFIC OFFENSES OVERALL, AND THEY WERE OF GREATER SEVERITY THAN THOSE IN GROUP A. THE LESS INTELLIGENT SUBJECTS HAD MORE NONMOVING OFFENSES THAN THOSE OF HIGHER INTELLIGENCE, BUT NO MORE MOVING OFFENSES. IN EXPANDING THE INQUIRIES STIMULATED BY THIS STUDY, THE PRESENT ANALYSIS EXAMINES THE FOLLOWING: (1) REASONS WHY THE LESS INTELLIGENT DRIVERS ARE MORE FREQUENTLY CHARGED, (2) EXPLANATIONS FOR THEIR EXCESS OF NONMOVING OFFENSES, (3) ALCOHOL AND SPEEDING OFFENSES IN RELATION TO THE DULL DRIVER, (4) THE RECLASSIFICATION OF ROAD OFFENSES FOR LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PURPOSES, AND (5) SUGGESTIONS FOR REMEDIAL ACTION IN THE CASE OF DRIVERS OF LOW INTELLIGENCE. SOME OF THE REASONS CITED FOR THE POORER DRIVING RECORDS OF THE LOW-INTELLIGENCE SUBJECTS ARE: (1) INABILITY TO PROFIT BY EXPERIENCE, (2) TENDENCY TO SPEND MORE TIME IN THEIR CARS DUE TO NARROW INTERESTS, (3) MORE OBVIOUS TO POLICE DUE TO GENERALLY CHEAP VEHICLES AND REPUTATION IN SMALL TOWNS, (4) LESS ABLE TO ARTICULATE AND PROVIDE FOR A DEFENSE IN INTERACTION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COURTS, AND (5) LACK OF SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE IN HANDLING ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS NECESSARY TO AVOID NONMOVING VIOLATIONS. A PROPOSAL FOR RECLASSIFYING DRIVING OFFENSES AND METHODS OF DEALING WITH THEM IS PRESENTED. IT IS FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT THE INTELLECTUALLY HANDICAPPED BE GIVEN SPECIAL LICENSES WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO RECEIVE SPECIAL AID AND SUPERVISION FROM THE POLICE IN STATUTORY MATTERS. THIS MIGHT HAVE COST-BENEFIT ADVANTAGES, IMPROVE THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE POLICE, AND DIMINISH THEIR CRIMES. MUCH OF THE DISCUSSION HAS PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO AUSTRALIA. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)