The present study investigated the prediction of speeding and drink-driving, as well as the nature of risk perceptions and attitudes to young driver risk-taking. Speeding was predicted by authority-rebellion, optimism bias, and specific attitudes to speeding. Sensation seeking, optimism bias, and specific attitudes to drink-driving predicted drink-driving behaviour. Examination of relevant risk perceptions and attitudes illustrate important distinctions between the behaviours. In particular, the perceived costs of not speeding or drink driving are important attitudinal predictors for both behaviours. For this young driver sample, the most significant costs of sticking to the speed limit are a feeling of impatience, and the inconvenience of spending greater time on the road (rather than a lack of thrill and excitement). This finding is contrary to a significant body of research illustrating the importance of the ‘speeding is fun’ attitude, which suggests that this may be over-emphasised as an essential factor for speeding. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E211985.
Abstract