Young male drivers. Impulse expression, accidents, and violations

Abstract

A pilot sample of 288 unmarried male drivers aged 16 to 24 years were interviewed concerning their driving habits, attitudes, accidents, and violations. Differences between successive age groups indicated distinct developmental changes: graduation of the inexperienced, impulsive, but cautious beginner to a self-confident, financially independent, heavier drinking, and more dangerous young adult. Both accident-prone and violation-prone drivers appeared to use the automobile to express impulses. Both sets were more likely to have "working class" characteristics. Accidents also rose simply with exposure (miles driven), but violations did not.