Under a modification to the "tri-level study of the causes of traffic accidents", a separate analysis was conducted to examine the characteristics and collision producing errors of accident and traffic violation prone drivers. Statistical tests were employed to evaluate the differences between accident/conviction repeaters and non-repeaters. Results of the study indicate that accident repeaters when compared to non-repeaters were more frequently young (20-24 years old), male, single, attended but did not graduate from college and caused accidents more frequently because of decision errors (more specifically, improper evasive actions). Drivers with prior convictions when compared to those with no prior convictions were more frequently between the ages of 20 and 24, male, single, indicated they had attended but not completed college, white-collar workers (less frequently professional or housewives) and caused more accidents more frequently because of excessive speed or alcohol impairment. It was also found that the accident and conviction repeaters were more frequently exposed to accident risk, a factor which could account for the other effects found. In addition, the accident and conviction non-repeaters were found to cause the accident investigated just as often as the repeaters.(Author/publisher)
Abstract