Young Novice Driver Subtypes: Relationship to High-Risk Behavior, Traffic Accident Record, and Simulator Driving Performance

Abstract

Two studies were undertaken to obtain empirical support for the existence of driver subtypes in the young novice driver population. In Study 1, 198 participants (55% male) aged 16 to 19 completed an extensive self-report questionnaire. Five novice driver subtypes were identified through a cluster analysis of personality and driving-related measures. Two relatively high-risk or deviant subtypes (Clusters 1 and 5) were identified, characterized by high levels of driving-related aggression, competitive speed, driving to reduce tension, sensation seeking, assaultiveness, and hostility. The individuals in Cluster 5 also reported low levels of emotional adjustment and high levels of depression, resentfulness, and irritability. In Study 2, a subset of participants from each of the subtypes drove several scenarios in a driving simulator. The subtypes differed in their responses to an emergency situation and several potential traffic hazards. They also differed in the proficiency with which they could control their attention among concurrent tasks in high-workload situations. Most of the significant differences were related to lower levels of driving skill among the two most deviant subtypes (Clusters 1 and 5). The potential applications of this research include the design of training programs and other countermeasures to address the young novice driver crash problem.

Relationships between young drivers’ personality characteristics, risk perceptions, and driving behaviour

“…However, as there were only two items included in their risk perception scale, we must question whether the risk perception domain was adequately represented. Rundmo and Iversen (2004) suggested that most research has emphasised a cognitive, or belief-based component of risk perception, which focuses on the way young drivers perceive and process information (see Brown & Cotton, 2003;Deery & Fildes, 1999;Horvath & Zuckerman, 1992;Sarkar & Andreas, 2004). However, when measuring perceived risk, Rundmo and Iversen considered it was important to distinguish between cognitive-based and affective-based subjective assessments.…”

Alcohol Intoxication Effects on Simulated Driving: Exploring Alcohol-Dose Effects on Brain Activation Using Functional MRI

“…One of the most common experimental tools in intoxicated driving research is the driving simulator, and many studies to date have employed driving simulators to assess the effects of various abused substances and prescribed medications, as well as the effects of normal aging, sleep deprivation, and other adverse conditions on driving and driving related skills (Linnoila and Mattila, 1973;Rimm et al, 1982;Deery and Fildes, 1999;Arnedt et al, 2001;Verster et al, 2002). We have previously demonstrated the validity of a similar, simulated driving environment to evaluate performance measures in sober and alcohol-intoxicated subjects compared directly to real on-road driving (McGinty et al, 2001).…”

Psychiatric Disorders and Driver Safety: A Systematic Review

“…Twenty-one articles were found to meet the inclusion criteria for the relationship between personality disorder traits and crash risk (Alparslan et al, 1999;Bell et al, 2000;Blows et al 2005;Deery & Fildes, 1999;Fong et al, 2001;Gulliver & Begg, 2007;Karlsson et al, 2003;Kontogiannis, 2006;Lajunen et al, 2001;Malta et al, 2005;Mayer & Treat, 1977;Nabi et al, 2005;Nabi et al, 2007;Parker et al, 1995;Rajalin, 1994;Schwebel et al, 2006;Sullman et al, 2002;Sumer, 2003;Turner & McClure, 2004;Verschuur & Hurts, 2008;Wells-Parker et al, 2002). Overall, the included studies suggest that traits such as aggression, hostility, impulsivity, disregard for laws (i.e., attitude toward traffic law violations), and various psychological symptoms are associated with an increase in crash risk.…”