Peer influence predicts speeding prevalence among teenage drivers

Preventing speed-related crashes could reduce costs and improve efficiency in the transportation industry. This research examined the psychosocial and personality predictors of observed speeding among young drivers. Survey and driving data were collected from 42 newly-licensed teenage drivers during...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of safety research 2012-12, Vol.43 (5-6), p.397-403
Main Authors: Simons-Morton, Bruce G., Ouimet, Marie Claude, Chen, Rusan, Klauer, Sheila G., Lee, Suzanne E., Wang, Jing, Dingus, Thomas A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidents, Traffic - prevention & control
Adolescence
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adult
Automobile drivers
Automobile driving
Automobile Driving - psychology
Behavior
Data Collection
Female
Friends
Humans
Licensure
Male
Motor vehicle crashes
Naturalistic
Peer Group
Peer relationships
Personality
Prevalence
Risk taking
Social influence
Speed limits
Teenagers
Traffic accidents & safety
Young Adult
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Summary:Preventing speed-related crashes could reduce costs and improve efficiency in the transportation industry. This research examined the psychosocial and personality predictors of observed speeding among young drivers. Survey and driving data were collected from 42 newly-licensed teenage drivers during the first 18months of licensure. Speeding (i.e., driving 10mph over the speed limit; about 16km/h) was assessed by comparing speed data collected with recording systems installed in participants' vehicles with posted speed limits. Speeding was correlated with elevated g-force event rates (r=0.335, pb0.05), increased over time, and predicted by day vs. night trips, higher sensation seeking, substance use, tolerance of deviance, susceptibility to peer pressure, and number of risky friends. Perceived risk was a significant mediator of the association between speeding and risky friends. The findings support the contention that social norms may influence teenage speeding behavior and this relationship may operate through perceived risk. ► Teenage speeding 10mph over the speed limit was associated with elevated g-force event rates. ► Teenage speeding was associated with substance use, tolerance of deviance, and risky friends. ► The association between speeding and risky friends was mediated by perceived risk.
ISSN:0022-4375
1879-1247
DOI:10.1016/j.jsr.2012.10.002