Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are the leading cause of death among 15–20-year-olds in the United States. Predisposing factors for MVCs include alcohol use, moving traffic violations, and high-risk driving behaviors such as speeding. These are preliminary findings of a pilot study of the Reducing Youthful Dangerous Driving (RYDD) program. The objective of this study was to reduce alcohol-related and other risky behaviors and driving offense rates among young drivers. The RYDD program is designed for young drivers who had been mandated by the Rhode Island state courts to attend this program as a result of motor vehicle traffic violations (e.g., speeding, reckless driving, driving while intoxicated). The program consists of group sessions including motivational interviewing, education, and direct observation of injured patients in an urban emergency department (ED) Level 1 trauma center and its intensive care unit. Data on alcohol use, motor vehicle violations, high-risk driving behaviors, and alcohol-related negative consequences were collected at baseline (n = 351), and on participants who thus far had completed 3-month (n = 207) and 12-month follow-up interviews (n = 107). In comparison to baseline, at 3-month follow-up, participants reported a reduction in alcohol use and alcohol-related negative consequences (baseline AUDIT = 10.3, 3-month AUDIT = 6.3, t = 27.7, p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in driving after using alcohol (19% at baseline, 10% at 3 months, ÷ 2 = 493, p < 0.001). A comparison of the 12 months pre RYDD to 12 months post RYDD showed a significant reduction in driving offenses (2.2 at baseline, 0.62 at 12 months, t = 12.5, p < 0.001). It is concluded that RYDD led to a significant reduction in alcohol use and negative consequences and high-risk driving behaviors. This is a significant area of study for injury prevention. The specific mechanisms of change experienced by RYDD participants (i.e., experience in the ED) are of interest to this research group and will be studied in a randomized controlled trial. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting