The authors examine the relationship between accidents and crime from a criminological point of view and from the point of view of traffic research. Theories of individual propensities to commit crime are discussed in particular personality theories and control theories of crime. Examples from traffic research are described which similarly link accident liability with a number of background factors. The authors then investigate whether accidents have background factors which can be used to predict accident involvement. Adolescents were questionned about their delinquency and accident involvement. Social factors were also considered such as bonds with parents and friends, commitment to school, dating commitment to school, dating and working. A linear relationship was found between delinquency and accident involvement. Many common background factors were identified.
Abstract