This study consisted of 23 female and 17 male pre-college and college students. Over 90% of the participants do not have any points on their license. Over 80% have not been ticketed for not wearing a seat belt. None of the participants have been ticketed for driving under the influence of alcohol. Also, almost 80% of the participants have never been ticketed for speeding. These students were administered a survey that measured self-reported risk, perceived risk, and self/other judgements. Personal experience was found to be an insignificant predictor of perceived level of risk on both fatal and non-fatal levels. However, the presence of control was a significant predictor of perceived level of risk. Furthermore, the participants' answers for control present (when the participant was driving) and control absent (when the participant was a passenger) were significantly different. It was also found that the participants demonstrated unrealistic optimism. They gave significantly lower ratings for perceived self-risk than for perceived risk of others. There were also significant positive correlations between being penalized for risky behavior and perceived level of risk. These results led the researcher to conclude that whether or not an individual is familiar with someone who had been in a accident, that knowledge will not affect his/her perceived level of risk. This may be because most individuals believe that only certain types of people are likely to be involved in accidents. They may feel they do not fit in the victim's stereotype, and are therefore immune to accidents. Conversely, when participants were in control of the car, they demonstrated unrealistic optimism. They felt more at risk when someone else was driving. Of all the risks measured in this study, participants were the most unrealistically optimistic about driving under the influence of alcohol. Since most were under the drinking age, they probably rated themselves as unlikely to get into an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol because they are unlikely to drink. Also, the positive correlation between perceived level of risk and being penalized for risky behavior indicates that individuals who know risky driving is wrong because they were penalized for it, probably realize such actions can cause them to be in an accident. Participants were found to use a positive-self judgement when asked about their driving skills. Individuals feel they are skilled drivers and believe their peers must also be skilled drivers since they are closer to them than any other age group. Finally, perceived threat did not have any significant effects on perceived level of risk or any of its predictors. (Author/publisher)
Abstract