Hazard anticipation of young novice drivers - SWOV
Hazard anticipation of young novice drivers - SWOV
Hazard anticipation of young novice drivers - SWOV
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Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The effect <strong>of</strong> autism on hazard<br />
<strong>anticipation</strong> in traffic has hardly been studied. In one study it was found that<br />
adolescents with some kind <strong>of</strong> autism have difficulties to predict what<br />
possible dangerous actions visible other humans in the traffic scene could<br />
take. Young <strong>drivers</strong> diagnosed with ADHD have a substantial higher crash<br />
risk than <strong>young</strong> <strong>drivers</strong> that have no ADHD. This is probably caused by the<br />
fact that individuals with ADHD are more <strong>of</strong>ten inattentive, adhere less to<br />
the rules <strong>of</strong> the road, show reduced inhibition and are more easily distracted.<br />
The reviewed social and culture aspect are lifestyle, peer group<br />
influences, education (including driver training) and social and cultural<br />
background. The already mentioned biological aspect <strong>of</strong> being <strong>young</strong> cannot<br />
be isolated from the social and cultural aspect <strong>of</strong> being <strong>young</strong>. For <strong>young</strong><br />
people driving is not only a fast and convenient way <strong>of</strong> travelling. Driving<br />
and having a car also means status, you can impress your friends with your<br />
car and your 'sporty' driving style, you can test your skills and a car is also a<br />
symbol for freedom. Young people who like driving and cars and/or prefer<br />
leisure time activities with low structure and high impulsivity such as<br />
partying, have a higher crash rate than average. Driving with passengers can<br />
have a negative and a positive effect on the crash rate <strong>of</strong> <strong>young</strong> <strong>novice</strong><br />
<strong>drivers</strong>. Especially for very <strong>young</strong> <strong>novice</strong> <strong>drivers</strong> (both male and female),<br />
driving with a male passenger <strong>of</strong> about the same age increases the crash rate.<br />
However, driving with a middle-aged passenger (e.g. a parent) decreases the<br />
crash rate <strong>of</strong> <strong>young</strong> <strong>novice</strong> <strong>drivers</strong> considerably. The effect <strong>of</strong> the general<br />
level <strong>of</strong> education on crash rate is probably low and traditional formal driver<br />
training in preparation for the driving test does not lower the crash rate.<br />
There are indications that the socioeconomic status <strong>of</strong> the family <strong>of</strong> <strong>young</strong><br />
<strong>novice</strong> <strong>drivers</strong> may have some effect on the crash rate. Most studies show<br />
that <strong>young</strong> <strong>novice</strong> <strong>drivers</strong> <strong>of</strong> families with a low socioeconomic status have a<br />
higher crash rate than <strong>young</strong> <strong>novice</strong> <strong>drivers</strong> <strong>of</strong> parents with a high<br />
socioeconomic status. The results may however be confounded by the fact<br />
that <strong>young</strong> <strong>novice</strong> <strong>drivers</strong> <strong>of</strong> a low socioeconomic background will normally<br />
drive in older cars that <strong>of</strong>fer less protection.<br />
The reviewed transient factors that reduce driving capabilities are<br />
alcohol and illicit drugs, fatigue, distraction and inattention, and emotions.<br />
Alcohol affects the driving capabilities <strong>of</strong> <strong>young</strong> <strong>drivers</strong> somewhat more than<br />
it affects the driving capabilities <strong>of</strong> middle-aged <strong>drivers</strong> and there are<br />
indications that in the Netherlands the prevalence <strong>of</strong> drug driving is<br />
relatively high among <strong>drivers</strong> <strong>of</strong> 18 to 24 years <strong>of</strong> age. Young <strong>drivers</strong> are<br />
more involved in fatigue related crashes than middle-aged <strong>drivers</strong> are. There<br />
are indications that the prevalence <strong>of</strong> crashes in which inattention and/or<br />
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