Factors shaping the decision of college students to walk or drive under the influence of alcohol: A test of Rational Choice theory

Abstract

Aims: Rational Choice theory was tested to better understand the differences in behaviour regarding walking and driving under the influence of alcohol. Methods: Students at a residential college campus in Virginia were surveyed. Findings: Results show that students were less likely to walk or drive while intoxicated if they believed such behaviour was morally wrong and if they knew few others who had engaged in such behaviour without negative consequences (a measure of punishment avoidance). If students reported that driving while intoxicated was a serious problem, which would result in like punishment, they were less likely to drive under the influence all else equal. Notably, certainty of punishment did not significantly impact differences between students with regard to the likelihood of driving under the influence. Conclusions: We found limited support for Rational Choice theory in understanding differences in the likelihood of walking and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Does it matter whether friends, parents, or peers drink walk? Identifying which normative influences predict young pedestrian’s decisions to walk while intoxicated

“…Efforts to reduce drink walking behaviour have generally taken two approaches. The first approach involving identification of the sociodemographic characteristics of pedestrians who drink walk has demonstrated an overrepresentation of young adult males (Cairney and Coutts, 2003;Holubowycz, 1995a;Hutchinson, et al, 2009;Mason and Monk-Turner, 2010;Prijon and Ermenc, 2009) and increased prevalence of drink walking behaviour among young adults aged 15 through to 29 years (Fontaine and Gourlet, 1997;Holubowycz, 1995a;Hutchinson, et al, 2009;Öström and Eriksson, 2001;Small, et al, 2006); however there is also evidence of drink walking occurring with adults in their 30s to 40s (Fontaine and Gourlet, 1997;Hutchinson, et al, 2009;Prijon and Ermenc, 2009;Small, et al, 2006). Another consistent feature of people who drink walk was that most had been drinking primarily with friends or family, thus, highlighting the social nature of the behaviour and the tendency for normative influences from important others to be particularly relevant influences of the behaviour (Cairney and Coutts, 2003;Lang, et al, 2003;O'Connor et al, 2004).…”

“…An alternative approach to reduce drink walking which has received limited attention to date is to use a theoretically-based framework to identify the key psychosocial determinants of pedestrians' choices to drink walk (Haque et al, 2012;Mason and Monk-Turner, 2010). These key psychosocial determinants may then be used to inform countermeasures such as road safety campaigns and interventions targeting individual decision-making.…”