Tested the hypothesis that young drivers with an accident record who were exposed to a peer-group decision process would shift their attitude toward safer driving and controlled drinking more than would comparable drivers who were not exposed to this process. This effect was expected to be greater for ss designated as experimental ss than for peer group members recruited to take part in the discussions. The discussion groups included 14 experimental ss (males under 25 years of age who had been involved in at least 1 previous accident) and 39 friends of these ss. 18 ss with characteristics similar to the experimental ss served as no-treatment controls. Analysis of pre- and postintervention questionnaire data support the hypothesis for attitudes related to driver roles but not to drinking. It is suggested that this change in attitudes lessens the chance for future involvement in accidents and that the involvement of peers produces a more substantial change in attitudes and behaviour than the fear-arousal approach used in most safety campaigns. (Secondary source).
Abstract