This article describes two research studies into the reasons for the young drivers' relatively high accident rates. The first study investigated the extent to which this high rate can be explained either by age or by lack of experience. It involved over 430 drivers of different ages and sexes. All drivers took part in a number of different activities, including driving on a 40 kilometre test route whilst being assessed by experts, keeping a log of all journeys made for a week or a fortnight, and being interviewed or completing a questionnaire on their attitudes and driving styles. The results indicate that it is not lack of experience per se which leads to an increased accident proneness, but a combination of this factor with age. They also showed that there is a wide variation in accident proneness within the younger age group. The second study was designed to determine why this was so. A sample of about 30 of the safest and 30 of the least safe young male drivers was used. An in depth interview was conducted which covered many aspects of driving, attitudes, leisure and other life styles. The results indicate that for some young drivers, driving is an important means to acquire status. The implications of the results obtained are discussed.
Samenvatting