This study examined the incidence of drink riding behaviour in a sample of 294 young Australian drivers (average age 20 years), as well as a number of social and psychological influences associated with the behaviour. Results indicated that 56 per cent of participants reported ever having ridden as a passenger of a drink driver, with just over 36 per cent having done so within the previous twelve months. With respect to the previous twelve month period, attitudes toward drink riding was moderately correlated with actual behaviour, whereas subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and the personality construct of sensation seeking were weakly correlated. Results suggest that alcohol consumption and attitudes play an important role in drink riding behaviour, whereas risky driving history appears to be less important. The implications and future directions are discussed. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E215375.
Abstract