Profiles of Risky Driving Behaviors in Adolescent Drivers: A Cluster Analysis of a Representative Sample from Tuscany Region (Italy).

Vieri Lastrucci,Fabio Voller,Chiara Lorini,Marco Lazzeretti,Caterina Silvestri,Guglielmo Bonaccorsi,Francesco Innocenti,Alice Berti

doi:10.3390/ijerph18126362

Abstract

(1) Background: Research on patterns of risky driving behaviors (RDBs) in adolescents is scarce. This study aims to identify distinctive patterns of RDBs and to explore their characteristics in a representative sample of adolescents. (2) Methods: this is a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of Tuscany Region students aged 14–19 years (n = 2162). The prevalence of 11 RDBs was assessed and a cluster analysis was conducted to identify patterns of RDBs. ANOVA, post hoc pairwise comparisons and multivariate logistic regression models were used to characterize cluster membership. (3) Results: four distinct clusters of drivers were identified based on patterns of RDBs; in particular, two clusters—the Reckless Drivers (11.2%) and the Careless Drivers (21.5%)—showed high-risk patterns of engagement in RDBs. These high-risk clusters exhibited the weakest social bonds, the highest psychological distress, the most frequent participation in health compromising and risky behaviors, and the highest risk of a road traffic accident. (4) Conclusion: findings suggest that it is possible to identify typical profiles of RDBs in adolescents and that risky driving profiles are positively interrelated with other risky behaviors. This clustering suggests the need to develop multicomponent prevention strategies rather than addressing specific RDBs in isolation.

Highlights

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major public health issue worldwide and constitute the leading cause of death and acquired disabilities among young people of developed countries [1]
Adolescent drivers have the highest risk of experiencing an RTA because of their inexperience and the engagement in a wide variety of risky driving behaviors (RDBs) [2,3,4,5]
While there is abundant research on antecedents, correlates and consequences of one RDB in isolation from other RDBs, there is relatively limited research on the concurrence of RDBs and its significance [10,11]. Evidence in this regard has highlighted that drivers that engage in a specific RDB often engage in other RDBs; for instances Tucker et al found that speeding, texting while driving, and talking on the phone while driving co-occurs in adolescents, or Olsen et al and Li et al reported a positive correlation between the frequency of texting while driving and the prevalence of driving under the influence of

Summary

Introduction

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major public health issue worldwide and constitute the leading cause of death and acquired disabilities among young people of developed countries [1]. While there is abundant research on antecedents, correlates and consequences of one RDB in isolation from other RDBs, there is relatively limited research on the concurrence of RDBs and its significance [10,11]. Evidence in this regard has highlighted that drivers that engage in a specific RDB often engage in other RDBs; for instances Tucker et al found that speeding, texting while driving, and talking on the phone while driving co-occurs in adolescents, or Olsen et al and Li et al reported a positive correlation between the frequency of texting while driving and the prevalence of driving under the influence of

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Discussion

Conclusion