Peer influence predicts speeding prevalence among teenage drivers

Abstract

Impact on industry: Preventing speed-related crashes could reduce costs and improve efficiency in the transportation industry.

Objective: This research examined the psychosocial and personality predictors of observed speeding among young drivers.

Method: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: The findings support the contention that social norms may influence teenage speeding behavior and this relationship may operate through perceived risk.