This article reports on a study that featured facilitated discussions about motor vehicle safety risks with groups of teenagers in 4 cities chosen to provide geographic and ethnic diversity: Atlanta, Georgia; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Seattle, Washington; and Fort Lee, New Jersey. The study was undertaken to better understand teenagers' perceptions of motor vehicle safety risks and ways to influence safety-related behaviours. The article reports on the findings and the presents a commentary on the results. Driving experience among participants ranged from 1 week to 3 years. Participants reported that graduated driver's licensing (GDL) restrictions are not enforced and are frequently ignored. Teen participants did not see anything wrong with underage drinking and very little wrong with driving after having consumed alcohol. They believe that they can know if they are too drunk to drive and that marijuana does not affect their driving. The focus groups also suggested that distracted driving is a serious problem for teen drivers; distractions include talking on cell telephones, playing music, and risks caused by passengers. Drunk driving and seatbelt use were the two areas identified in which teens were most deficient in knowledge; other areas needing increased education are distracted driving, following too closely, and excessive speed. Readers are referred to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration web site for copies of the final report http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/NewDriver/TeenUnsafeDriving/ The commentary appended to the article considers the role of the adolescent brain, the problems of optimistic perceptions, factors that might get teens to change their unsafe behaviours, and the recommended mode of delivery of safety messages.
Abstract