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Cullen P, Mőller H, Baffsky R, Martiniuk A, Senserrick T, Rogers K, Woodward M, Stevenson MR, McLean R, Sawyer S, Patton G, Ivers RQ. Self-harm in adolescence and risk of crash: a 13-year cohort study of novice drivers in New South Wales, Australia. Inj Prev 2023; 29:302-308. [PMID: 36813554 PMCID: PMC10423516 DOI: 10.1136/ip-2022-044807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Self-harm and suicide are leading causes of morbidity and death for young people, worldwide. Previous research has identified self-harm is a risk factor for vehicle crashes, however, there is a lack of long-term crash data post licensing that investigates this relationship. We aimed to determine whether adolescent self-harm persists as crash risk factor in adulthood. METHODS We followed 20 806 newly licensed adolescent and young adult drivers in the DRIVE prospective cohort for 13 years to examine whether self-harm was a risk factor for vehicle crashes. The association between self-harm and crash was analysed using cumulative incidence curves investigating time to first crash and quantified using negative binominal regression models adjusted for driver demographics and conventional crash risk factors. RESULTS Adolescents who reported self-harm at baseline were at increased risk of crashes 13 years later than those reporting no self-harm (relative risk (RR) 1.29: 95% CI 1.14 to 1.47). This risk remained after controlling for driver experience, demographic characteristics and known risk factors for crashes, including alcohol use and risk taking behaviour (RR 1.23: 95% CI 1.08 to 1.39). Sensation seeking had an additive effect on the association between self-harm and single-vehicle crashes (relative excess risk due to interaction 0.87: 95% CI 0.07 to 1.67), but not for other types of crashes. DISCUSSION Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that self-harm during adolescence predicts a range of poorer health outcomes, including motor vehicle crash risks that warrant further investigation and consideration in road safety interventions. Complex interventions addressing self-harm in adolescence, as well as road safety and substance use, are critical for preventing health harming behaviours across the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Cullen
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Ngarruwan Ngadju: First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Holger Mőller
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rachel Baffsky
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alexandra Martiniuk
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Teresa Senserrick
- Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety - Queensland (CARRS-Q), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kris Rogers
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Woodward
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mark R Stevenson
- Transport Health and Urban Design Research Hub, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca McLean
- Department of Population Health, University of Otago Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Susan Sawyer
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - George Patton
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca Q Ivers
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Møller M, Janstrup KH. Crash involvement among unlicensed 17 year old drivers before and after licensing at 17 was allowed. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2021; 156:106109. [PMID: 33905895 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2021.106109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Unlicensed driving among youth is associated with increased crash risk, and partly motivated by a wish to learn to drive. In this paper we examine whether crash involvement among 17-year-old unlicensed drivers changed after post-licence accompanied driving from the age of 17 was allowed in Denmark in 2017. The study includes police-registered crashes occurring three years before and three years after the change (2014-2019). Results show an increase in crash involvement among 17-year-olds and a small increase in crash involvement among unlicensed 17-year-olds, if population size is taken into account, but no differences in the crash and person characteristics before and after the change. Being male, speeding, and impairment at the time of the crash predicted unlicensed crash involvement. A latent class clustering analysis (LCCA) identified seven clusters of crashes involving an unlicensed 17-year-old. The cluster characteristics reveal different patterns in the associated factors such as females and parked vehicles being more likely to be included in C1, alcohol impaired in C2 and drug impaired in C7. Brief crash descriptions provided by the police indicate that driving with extra motives such as showing-off or pleasure are prevalent in all clusters. Results confirm, that unlicensed crash involvement among 17-year olds is associated with risk-taking behaviours such as speeding, impaired driving, showing-off, and the car being pursued by the police. However, unfortunate manoeuvres and loss of control of the vehicle possibly related to poor driving skills are also associated with the crashes. Crash characteristics such as impairment by alcohol and drugs indicate that unlicensed crash involvement is a distinct safety challenge associated with health risk behaviours rather than a transport related need for a driver's license. Additional studies exploring the motivations and circumstances associated with unlicensed driving among 17-year olds are needed along with measures to prevent car access among unlicensed youth..
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Affiliation(s)
- M Møller
- Technical University of Denmark.
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Andel SA, Pindek S, Spector PE. When antecedent becomes consequent: An examination of the temporal order of job dissatisfaction and verbal aggression exposure in a longitudinal study. WORK AND STRESS 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/02678373.2018.1509245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A. Andel
- Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences, Muma College of Business, The University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Shani Pindek
- Department of Human Services, The University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Paul E. Spector
- Department of Psychology, The University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Gesser-Edelsburg A, Zemach M, Lotan T, Elias W, Grimberg E. Perceptions, intentions and behavioral norms that affect pre-license driving among Arab youth in Israel. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2018; 111:1-11. [PMID: 29153983 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2017.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The present study examines reported pre-license driving among youth from the population of Arab citizens of Israel. The purpose of the present study is to examine which sociodemographic variables, attitudes and perceptions about safe driving and individual and societal behavioral norms are associated with pre-license driving. The research distinguished between the factors that actually contribute to pre-license driving (reported behavior, peer norms, gender and parents' messages) and the factors that explain the intention (parental authority, social norms, parents' messages and fear of road crashes). Even though there was a significant partial overlap (84%) between those who intend to drive without a license and those who reported driving without a license, the main factors that distinguish pre-license driving groups are different from the factors that distinguish the intention to drive before receiving a license. What is unique about the findings is the identification of the context in which social norms are influential and that in which parental authority is influential. The study indicated that in the case of pre-license driving, the main motivating factor is subjective norms, whereas in the case of expecting to drive without a license, the main motivating factor is the interaction between parental authority and the messages that parents convey. While actual behavior pertains to the behavioral level, we argue that intended behavior pertains to the cognitive level. At this level, rational considerations arise, such as fear of parental punishment and fear of accidents. These considerations compete with the influence of friends and their norms, and may outweigh them. The findings suggest that it is important to safeguard youth against the influence of peer pressure as early as the stage of behavioral intentions. Follow-up studies can simulate situations of pre-license driving due to social pressure and identify the factors that might affect young people's decision-making. Moreover, providing parents with training before the accompaniment period is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Gesser-Edelsburg
- School of Public Health, Health and Risk Communication Research Center, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave. Mount Carmel, Haifa 3498838, Israel.
| | - Mina Zemach
- Midgam Consulting & Research Ltd, Derech Ben Gurion 13, Bnei Brak, 68181, Israel.
| | - Tsippy Lotan
- Or Yarok, Industrial Zone Neve-Ne'eman B, 45240, Israel.
| | - Wafa Elias
- Civil Engineering Department, Shamoon College of Engineering (SCE), Beer Sheva, Israel.
| | - Einat Grimberg
- Or Yarok, Industrial Zone Neve-Ne'eman B, 45240, Israel.
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Begg D, Brookland R, Connor J. Associations of repeated high alcohol use with unsafe driving behaviors, traffic offenses, and traffic crashes among young drivers: Findings from the New Zealand Drivers Study. TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION 2017; 18:111-117. [PMID: 27574719 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2016.1224345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to describe self-reported high alcohol use at each of the 3 licensing stages of graduated driver licensing and its relationship to drink-driving behaviors, intentional risky driving, aggressive driving, alcohol traffic offenses, non-alcohol traffic offenses, and traffic crashes. METHODS The New Zealand Drivers Study (NZDS) is a multistage, prospective cohort study of newly licensed drivers interviewed at all 3 stages of the graduated driver licensing system: learner (baseline), restricted (intermediate), and full license. At each stage, alcohol use was self-reported using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), with high alcohol use defined as a score of ≥4 for males and ≥3 for females. Sociodemographic and personality data were obtained at the baseline interview. Alcohol-related, intentional risky, and aggressive driving behaviors were self-reported following each license stage. Traffic crashes and offenses were identified from police records. Crashes were also self-reported. RESULTS Twenty-six percent (n = 397) reported no high alcohol use, 22% at one license stage, 30% at 2 stages, and 22% at 3 stages. Poisson regression results (unadjusted and adjusted) showed that the number of stages where high alcohol use was reported was significantly associated with each of the outcomes. For most outcomes, and especially the alcohol-involved outcomes, the relative risk increased with the number of stages of high alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS We found that high alcohol use was common among young newly licensed drivers and those who repeatedly reported high alcohol use were at a significantly higher risk of unsafe driving behaviors. Recently introduced zero blood alcohol concentration (BAC) should help to address this problem, but other strategies are required to target persistent offenders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Begg
- a Department of Preventive and Social Medicine , Dunedin School of Medicine , Dunedin , New Zealand
| | - Rebecca Brookland
- a Department of Preventive and Social Medicine , Dunedin School of Medicine , Dunedin , New Zealand
| | - Jennie Connor
- a Department of Preventive and Social Medicine , Dunedin School of Medicine , Dunedin , New Zealand
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Naz S, Scott-Parker B. Obstacles to engaging in young driver licensing: Perspectives of parents. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2017; 99:312-320. [PMID: 28027528 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 10/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Young novice drivers remain at greater risk of injury and death despite a wealth of interventions including graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs. The key to implementing safer practices inherent in GDL appears to lie with optimising the role of parents. This qualitative research explored the parent's perspectives of obstacles to engaging in the driver licensing process within a GDL program. Parents also shared advice on what they found helpful, and where relevant, recommended changes in the process to enable safer practices for young drivers. METHOD Twenty-three parents (aged 35-60 years, M=49.52, SD=8.01, 11 males) participated in semi-structured interviews regarding licensing experiences with their young driver children. The young drivers included learner (n=11), provisional (restricted/intermediate) (n=9) and open (unrestricted/full) licence drivers (n=3), ranging from 16 to 24 years (M=18.04, SD=2.21, 13 males). FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS Content analysis revealed that most obstacles were encountered at the learner licensing phase, with the parent-reported difficult temperament of the learner driver the most prominent. Unsurprisingly, advice to other parents to be patient and remain calm featured heavily during the same phase. Anxiety from not having control of the vehicle was another obstacle at the learner phase, translating to anxieties for child safety in the early stages of provisional driving. Recommendations for the current GDL included more rigorous road rule testing, with general support for the program, professional driver training at learner and provisional stages facilitated parental engagement through the licensing phases. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The findings overwhelmingly suggest a need for parents to be educated regarding their importance in, and of, the driver licensing process, and the efficacy of their instruction, content and practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehana Naz
- University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, Queensland, 4350, Australia; Adolescent Risk Research Unit (ARRU), School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Business and Law (FABL), University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia
| | - Bridie Scott-Parker
- Adolescent Risk Research Unit (ARRU), School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Business and Law (FABL), University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia; Sustainability Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4556, Australia.
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Begg D, Brookland R. Participation in driver education/training courses during graduated driver licensing, and the effect of a time-discount on subsequent traffic offenses: Findings from the New Zealand Drivers Study. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2015; 55:13-20. [PMID: 26683543 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The New Zealand GDL includes a time-discount at the restricted license stage, for attendance at an approved driver education course. This is despite international evidence showing that earlier licensure associated with a time-discount can increase risk for newly licensed drivers. OBJECTIVE To examine participation in driver education courses and especially those that qualify for a time-discount; compare the profiles of course participants with non-participants; examine reasons for participation; and examine the association between a time-discount and traffic offenses once fully licensed. METHOD This study was based on the New Zealand Drivers Study (NZDS), a prospective cohort study of newly licensed drivers. Data on driver education courses were obtained at the full license interview (n=1763), driver license and traffic offense data from the NZ Driver Licence Registry, and other data at the NZDS interviews. RESULTS 94% had heard of and 49% (n=868) participated in a defensive driving course (DDC). No other course had more than 1% participation. Compared with the others, the DDC group were young, non-Māori, and from an area of relatively low deprivation. Through GDL, the DDC group were relatively more compliant with the conditions, and less likely to crash or receive a traffic offense notice. The groups did not differ on personality, alcohol and drug use. The reason most (85%) attended a DDC was to get their full license sooner; 86% (n=748) received a time-discount. The time-discount group were 40% more likely to receive a traffic offense notice on their full license; this reduced to 10% after controlling for other factors. CONCLUSION AND PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The results of this study, when viewed in conjunction with other NZ crash evidence, indicate that a time-discount should not be given for completing a DDC or Street Talk course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Begg
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.
| | - Rebecca Brookland
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Effects of parental vigilant care and feedback on novice driver risk. J Adolesc 2015; 38:69-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2014] [Revised: 11/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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McDonald CC, Sommers MS, Fargo JD. Risky driving, mental health, and health-compromising behaviours: risk clustering in late adolescents and adults. Inj Prev 2014; 20:365-72. [PMID: 24814717 PMCID: PMC4225190 DOI: 10.1136/injuryprev-2014-041150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health-compromising behaviours in adolescents and adults co-occur. Because motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and disability for these age groups, understanding the association between risky driving and other health-compromising behaviours is critical. METHODS We performed a secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial of an intervention for participants who screened positive for risky driving and problem drinking. Using baseline data, we examined relationships among conduct behaviour problems before and after age 15 years, depressive symptoms, sleep, problem drinking, and risky driving (hostile, reckless and drinking and driving) in late adolescents ages 18-24 (n=110) years, and adults ages 25-44 (n=202) years. We developed a measurement model for the entire sample using confirmatory factor analysis, which was then specified as a multigroup structural equation model. RESULTS Late adolescents and adults had some similar associations for pathways through problem drinking to drinking and driving; depression to reckless driving; and conduct behaviour problems after 15 years of age to hostile driving. Late adolescents, however, had more complex relationships: depressive symptoms and conduct behaviour problems before 15 years of age were associated with more risky driving behaviours through multiple pathways, and males reported more risky driving. CONCLUSIONS Risky driving is associated with other health-compromising behaviours and mental health factors. It is a multidimensional phenomenon more pronounced in late adolescence than adulthood. In order to promote safe driving, the findings support the need to consider behaviours that are a health threat in the late adolescent population during driving training and licensure. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT00164294.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine C. McDonald
- Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing,
Center for Global Women’s Health & Center for Health Equity
Research, Claire Fagin Hall, 418 Curie Boulevard, 4012a, Philadelphia, PA
19104-4217, Phone: 215-898-0435
| | - Marilyn S. Sommers
- Lillian S. Brunner Professor of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Director,
Center for Global Women’s Health, University of Pennsylvania, School
of Nursing
| | - Jamison D. Fargo
- Associate Professor, Utah State University, Department of
Psychology
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Begg DJ, Langley JD, Brookland RL, Ameratunga S, Gulliver P. Pre-licensed driving experience and car crash involvement during the learner and restricted, licence stages of graduated driver licensing: Findings from the New Zealand drivers study. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2014; 62:153-160. [PMID: 24161622 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2013.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2013] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/31/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether pre-licence driving experiences, that is driving before beginning the licensing process, increased or decreased crash risk as a car driver, during the learner or the restricted licence stages of the graduated driver licensing system (GDLS). METHOD Study participants were 15-24 year old members of the New Zealand Drivers Study (NZDS) - a prospective cohort study of newly licensed car drivers. The interview stages of the NZDS are linked to, the three licensing stages of the GDLS: learner, restricted and full. Baseline demographic (age, ethnicity, residential location, deprivation), personality (impulsivity, sensation seeking, aggression) and, behavioural data, (including pre-licensed driving behaviour), were obtained at the learner licence interview. Data on distance driven and crashes that occurred at the learner licence and restricted licence stages, were reported at the restricted and full licence interviews, respectively. Crash data were also obtained from police traffic crash report files and this was combined with the self-reported crash data. The analysis of the learner licence stage crashes, when only supervised driving is allowed, was based on the participants who had passed the restricted licence test and undertaken the NZDS, restricted licence interview (n=2358). The analysis of the restricted licence stage crashes, when unsupervised driving is first allowed, was based on those who had passed the full licence test and completed the full licence interview (n=1428). RESULTS After controlling for a range of demographic, personality, behavioural variables and distance driven, Poisson regression showed that the only pre-licence driving behaviour that showed a consistent relationship with subsequent crashes was on-road car driving which was associated with an increased risk of being the driver in a car crash during the learner licence period. CONCLUSION This research showed that pre-licensed driving did not reduce crash risk among learner or restricted licensed drivers, and in some cases (such as on-road car driving) may have increased risk. Young people should be discouraged from the illegal behaviour of driving a car on-road before licensing.
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Hanna CL, Laflamme L, Elling B, Möller J. Unlicensed driving and other related health risk behaviors: a study of Montana high school students. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2013; 54:26-31. [PMID: 23474234 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2013.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Revised: 01/17/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Health risk behaviors tend to cluster in young people, not least among young drivers. Less is known about the health risk profile of young unlicensed drivers. This study investigates health risk behaviors among young unlicensed drivers compared to both their licensed and driving peers, and their non-driving peers. METHODS High school students participating in the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System in Montana (US) and age-eligible to have a driver's license were studied (n=5985), categorized according to their self-reported car driving and license practice (licensed driving, unlicensed driving, and non-driving). Ten health risk behaviors, of which four were related to car riding/driving, were considered. Multinomial logistic regression was used to compile sex-specific odds ratios (with 95% confidence intervals) of adopting those behaviors using licensed drivers as a reference and adjusting for age and race/ethnicity. RESULTS Health risk behaviors tended to be more common among unlicensed drivers than other groups, although some behaviors were prevalent in all groups (i.e., alcohol use and lack of seat belt use). As a consequence, for both male and female students, there was a significant association between unlicensed driving and most health risk behaviors, except for being involved in a physical fight and riding with a drinking driver among female students. CONCLUSIONS Young unlicensed drivers are more likely than licensed drivers to adopt several health risk behaviors both in car driving/riding or otherwise, in particular alcohol use and cigarette smoking. This challenges any simplistic approach as unlicensed driving in youth is not an isolated act suggesting public health and traffic safety initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian L Hanna
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Public Health Sciences, Division of Global Health/IHCAR, Stockholm, Sweden.
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