Youth and risk: age differences in risky driving, risk perception, and risk utility

This paper describes differences between younger and older drivers on a number of measures of risky driving, risk perception, and risk utility taken during a national household survey (N=2,207) conducted in Canada in 1986. Young drivers (16 to 24) were more likely to engage in risky driving habits (e.g., following too closely, speeding) and they were more likely to have been involved in accidents and violations. Only the 21- to 24-year-olds were less likely to report seat belt use than the older drivers. Moreover, there was some indication that impaired driving was reported more frequently among the youngest age group (16 to 20). Young drivers perceived less danger in a variety of driving situations (e.g., driving while impaired, unbelted in front seat) and they perceived safety countermeasures to be less effective overall in reducing casualties. With respect to risk utility, young drivers placed less importance on safety features when buying a new car compared to older drivers but it was actually the oldest drivers (50 and over) who were least willing to pay for safety features. Intercorrelation of the risky behaviours revealed a moderate degree of consistency, but this consistency appeared to be greater among youth. There was little evidence that the predictors of risky driving differed substantially as a function of age.