Young Driver Problem Research Articles

A new version of the Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale (BYNDS). Insights from a randomised sample of 700 German young novice drivers.

In Germany, every year 66,000 road crashes lead to death or injury of young novice drivers. This makes them twice as likely to be involved in, or cause, vehicle crashes compared to their older and more experienced counterparts. This study aims to address this societal issue by developing a better understanding of the German young driver problem. For this purpose, we created an updated, 55-item strong version of the Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale (BYNDS), originally developed by Scott-Parker et al. in 2010. To make the new version of the BYNDS understandable for German young novice drivers, this research used a new method of translation in combination with extensive pre-testing. As a result, we identified possible threats for response errors such as retrospective formulated questions or double negations. Due the adjustment of the possible sources of error the presented version of the BYNDS is semantically and conceptually different from the original. However, due to the application of the updated version of the BYNDS in a robust sample of 700 participants, this paper presents the first reliable and validated tool to measure novices risky driving behaviour in Germany. Moreover, it offers an updated and extended version of the BYNDS that allows practitioners but also researchers to broaden their understanding of young driver risk.

Efficacy of training with driving simulators in improving safety in young novice or learner drivers: A systematic review

Driver inexperience is one of the underlying reasons for the high risk of road crashes involving young drivers (the so-called “young driver problem”). The use of driving simulators for learner or novice drivers could mitigate this problem by enabling them to acquire driving experience without increasing the risk of a road crashes. Evidence of this beneficial effect should lead to expanded use simulators to train learner drivers.We undertook a systematic review of previous studies designed to determine whether the use of a driving simulator for passenger cars or motorcycles in young novice or learner drivers leads to a reduction in road crashes and/or traffic infractions, or to the acquisition of safer driving skills, compared to non-use of driving simulators. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were used for the literature search. A total of 2888 unique references were initially extracted, but only five of them met the inclusion criteria and were selected for review (two experimental studies with random assignment, one quasi-experiment study, and two cohort studies). Two authors independently extracted the information and assessed the quality of each study with the Jadad Scale, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and identification of biases. Heterogeneity among studies regarding the outcomes considered precluded a quantitative synthesis of the results. Overall, the quality of the studies was low, and the most frequent drawbacks were low power to detect significant differences, non-comparability of the intervention and control groups (because of nonrandom assignment, different drop-out rates and uncontrolled confounders) and classification bias (because of inadequate blinding and the use of self-reports for some outcomes).Furthermore, the results were inconsistent across studies regarding the major outcomes. Therefore, the results of our review do not provide evidence to support or refute the efficacy of training programs based on simulators for young learner or novice drivers in improving the safety of their driving styles. Additional studies are needed to overcome the limitations of research designs used thus far.

Reducing young drivers’ crash risk: Are we there yet? An ecological systems-based review of the last decade of research

The involvement of young novice drivers in road crashes and violations has remained a significant transport and public health issue worldwide. Despite extensive evidence that multiple individual, social, and environmental factors contribute to risk while driving, crashes among young novice drivers have decreased only marginally. There is a need to define clear indicators of risk as well as develop effective interventions.The current study reviews the literature on young novice drivers, including empirical studies, systematic reviews, and crash reports published over the past ten years to provide a synthesis of risk and protective factors across multiple domains, from individual characteristics, to social influences, to behavioural and social interventions, to the car and road environment. Adopting an ecological systems perspective, we discuss links between these domains to clarify the strongest indicators of risk for young novice drivers as compared to experienced drivers, and we collate the available evidence on social and environmental factors that can improve young drivers’ behaviour so to reduce the rate of their road crashes.Among the factors discussed, the incomplete maturation of cognitive skills crucial to safe driving (visual scanning, hazard anticipation, handling of in-vehicle distractions) and the higher susceptibility to social influences (especially peers and parents) emerged as the strongest determinants of discrepancies in performance between young novice and experienced drivers. Growing awareness of the complex array of factors intervening synergistically in young drivers’ risk, as well as technological advancements have led to the design of interventions with some level of effectiveness, however, further research and more robust programmes adopting ecological and holistic approaches are needed to fully address the young driver problem.

Young drivers and their cars: Safe and sound or the perfect storm?

Consistent with the experiences in high-income countries, young drivers remain overrepresented in road trauma statistics in low- and middle-income countries. This article pursues the emerging interest of approaching the young driver problem from a systems thinking perspective in order to design and deliver robust countermeasures. Specifically, the focus of this paper is the cars driven by young drivers. The study of vehicles’ characteristics and their interaction with driving behaviour is, more often than not, considered a minor concern when developing countermeasures in young drivers’ safety not only in developed nations, but especially in developing nations. Participants completed an online survey containing the 44-item Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale Spanish version (BYNDS-Sp), in addition to providing information regarding their vehicle, any crash involvement, and driving offences. Based on the vehicle model information, the assessment of vehicle safety was conducted for three safety programs (ANCAP, Latin NCAP, U.S. NCAP). Young drivers in Colombia reported a breadth of risky driving behaviours worth targeting in broader interventions. For example, interventions can target speeding, particularly as three quarters of the participants drove small-medium cars associated with poorer road safety outcomes. Moreover, risky driving exposure was highly prevalent amongst the young driver participants, demonstrating the need for them to be driving the safest vehicles possible. It is noteworthy that few cars were able to be assessed by the Latin NCAP (with half of the cars rated having only 0–2 star ratings), and that there was considerable discrepancy between ANCAP, U.S. NCAP, and Latin NCAP ratings. The need for system-wide strategies to increase young driver road safety—such as improved vehicle safety—is vital to improve road safety outcomes in jurisdictions such as Colombia. Such improvements may also require systemic changes such as enhanced vehicle safety rating scales and investigation of the nature of vehicles sold in developing nations, particularly as these vehicles typically contain fewer safety features than their counterparts sold in developed nations.

The sex disparity in risky driving: A survey of Colombian young drivers

ABSTRACTObjective: The overrepresentation of young drivers in poor road safety outcomes has long been recognized as a global road safety issue. In addition, the overrepresentation of males in crash statistics has been recognized as a pervasive young driver problem. Though progress in road safety evidenced as a stabilization and/or reduction in poor road safety outcomes has been made in developed nations, less-developed nations contribute the greatest road safety trauma, and developing nations such as Colombia continue to experience increasing trends in fatality rates. The aim of the research was to explore sex differences in self-reported risky driving behaviors of young drivers, including the associations with crash involvement, in a sample of young drivers attending university in Colombia.Methods: The Spanish version of the Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale (BYNDS-Sp) was applied in an online survey to a sample of 392 students (225 males) aged 16–24 years attending a major university. Appropriate comparative statistics and logistic regression modeling were used when analyzing the data.Results: Males reported consistently more risky driving behaviors, with approximately one quarter of all participants reporting risky driving exposure. Males reported greater crash involvement, with violations such as speeding associated with crash involvement for both males and females.Conclusion: Young drivers in Colombia appear to engage in the same risky driving behaviors as young drivers in developed nations. In addition, young male drivers in Colombia reported greater engagement in risky driving behaviors than young female drivers, a finding consistent with the behaviors of young male drivers in developed nations. As such, the research findings suggest that general interventions such as education, engineering, and enforcement should target transient rule violations such as speeding and using a handheld mobile phone while driving for young drivers in Colombia. Future research should investigate how these interventions could be tailored specifically for the Colombian cultural context, including how their effects can be evaluated, prior to implementation.

Driving in search of analyses.

Although transportation safety has greatly improved over the past 2 decades, motor vehicle crash injuries remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among young drivers. Driver errors and behaviors such as speeding and distraction contribute disproportionately to crashes among inexperienced novices, who develop safe driving judgment only with substantial driving experience, commonly described as the "young driver problem." Research on young drivers has applied a range of research methods, including analyses of national archival data (mainly from police reports), crash analyses, observation of driver behavior, surveys of driver behavior and dispositions, and experimental research on driver behavior and vehicle crash worthiness. Prominent research questions regarding young driver safety include what and how do novices learn to drive safely, what are the predictors of young driver crashes, what is the variability and overtime trajectories of young driver performance and outcomes, and to what extent is the young driver problem due mainly to average population risk or high-risk groups? Current research on young drivers is complicated by small sample sizes, relatively rare events, high within and between group variability, missing data, the need to estimate exposure, and the lack of longitudinal and experimental designs, problems that require complex analytic methods. In this paper, we provide an overview of driving research methods, examples of research addressing the young driver problem, and examples of statistical collaboration on young driver research, focusing particularly on estimating prediction of crash risk and estimating variability in young driver performance and outcomes.

Learning to Drive Safely: Reasonable Expectations and Future Directions for the Learner Period.

The young driver problem is typified by high crash rates early in licensure that decline with experience, but are higher initially and decline more slowly for the youngest novices. Despite considerable effort, only Graduated Driver Licensing System (GDLS) policies have been shown to improve novice young driver safety outcomes. Unfortunately, GDLS policies are mostly limited to countries with a relatively young licensure age. Meanwhile, it is not entirely clear how GDLS and other young driver transportation safety efforts, including driver training and testing, supervised practice and parental management of young drivers, can best be configured. Notably, professional training can foster improvements in vehicle management skills that are necessary, but do not assure safe driving behavior. Substantial recent research has focused on training methods to improve driving skills, but the safety benefits of driver training have not been established. While prolonged practice driving increases experience and provides supervisors with opportunities to prepare novices for independent driving, the transition to independent driving challenges novices to employ, on their own, poorly-mastered skills under unfamiliar and complex driving conditions. Licensing policies and parental management practices can limit the complexity of driving conditions while novices gain needed driving experience. Nevertheless, an emerging body of literature suggests that future advances in training and supervision of novice teenage drivers might best focus on the translation of learning to independent driving by fostering safe driving attitudes and norms, judgment, dedicated attention to driving tasks and self-control at the wheel.

The psychosocial purpose of driving and its relationship with the risky driving behaviour of young novice drivers

BackgroundThe overrepresentation of young drivers in road crashes, injuries and fatalities around the world has resulted in a breadth of injury prevention efforts including education, enforcement, engineering, and exposure control. Despite multifaceted intervention, the young driver problem remains a challenge for injury prevention researchers, practitioners and policy-makers. The intractable nature of young driver crash risks suggests that a deeper understanding of their car use – that is, the purpose of their driving – is required to inform the design of more effective young driver countermeasures. AimsThis research examined the driving purpose reported by young drivers, including the relationship with self-reported risky driving behaviours including offences. MethodsYoung drivers with a Learner or Provisional licence participated in three online surveys (N1=656, 17–20years; N2=1051, 17–20years; N3=351, 17–21years) as part of a larger state-wide project in Queensland, Australia. ResultsA driving purpose scale was developed (the PsychoSocial Purpose Driving Scale, PSPDS), revealing that young drivers drove for psychosocial reasons such as for a sense of freedom and to feel independent. Drivers who reported the greatest psychosocial purpose for driving were more likely to be male and to report more risky driving behaviours such as speeding. Drivers who deliberately avoided on-road police presence and reported a prior driving-related offence had significantly greater PSPDS scores, and higher reporting of psychosocial driving purposes was found over time as drivers transitioned from the supervised Learner licence phase to the independent Provisional (intermediate) licence phase. Discussion and conclusionsThe psychosocial needs met by driving suggest that effective intervention to prevent young driver injury requires further consideration of their driving purpose. Enforcement, education, and engineering efforts which consider the psychosocial purpose of the driving are likely to be more efficacious than those which presently do not. Road safety countermeasures could reduce the young driver’s exposure to risk through such mechanisms as encouraging the use of public transport.

Vertical field of view restriction in driver training: A simulator-based evaluation

The young driver problem requires remedial measures against speeding and overconfidence. Previous research has shown that increasing the task difficulty during training can enhance subsequent retention performance and prevent overconfidence. In this driving simulator study, we evaluated the training effectiveness of vertical field of view restriction during a self-paced lane-keeping task. Sixty-two young, inexperienced drivers were divided into three groups: a near view (NV) group (upper part of the screen was blanked), a far view (FV) group (lower part of the screen was blanked), and a control group driving with full sight. All groups drove three training sessions lasting 8min each on a curved rural road, followed by two retention sessions with full sight. The first retention session took place on the same rural road and the second session on a highway. Compared to the control group, the NV group drove with lower mean speed and had more road departures during training. Furthermore, NV drivers reported significantly lower confidence during the training sessions and the second retention session. NV drivers directed their eye gaze more closely to the vehicle during training and both retention sessions. FV drivers approached corners with lower speed compared to the control group during training and had a higher number of rapid steering wheel turns during training and both retention sessions. In conclusion, removing visual information resulted in lower reported self-confidence (NV) and altered steering behavior (FV) in retention sessions compared to driving with full sight. Furthermore, NV training caused drivers to direct their gaze closely to the vehicle during retention, which may be negative for road safety. Possible effects of simulator-based driver training on eye-scanning and safety are discussed.

Keep on cruising: Changes in lifestyle and driving style among male drivers between the age of 18 and 23

Despite recent improvements in general road safety levels, young male drivers in most western countries continue to be overrepresented in road traffic accidents. Lifestyle related motivational factors are a key element in the young male driver problem. Based on 379 posted questionnaires completed by the same male drivers at the age of 18 and again at the age of 23, this study examined changes in the relationship between lifestyle and driving style over a 5year period. A number of changes in car use, driving style and engagement in different leisure time activities were found. Cruising was related to an extrovert social life as well as problem behaviours such as drink driving. At the age of 18 cruising was a part of the normal social life of the majority of the participants. However, while most drivers reduced their level of cruising as well as related problem behaviour over time, a smaller group still showed a similar life style at the age of 23. The study confirmed the importance of lifestyle related motivational factors for driving behaviour among young drivers.

Revisiting the concept of the ‘problem young driver’ within the context of the ‘young driver problem’: Who are they?

For decades there have been two young driver concepts: the ‘young driver problem’ where the driver cohort represents a key problem for road safety; and the ‘problem young driver’ where a sub-sample of drivers represents the greatest road safety problem. Given difficulties associated with identifying and then modifying the behaviour of the latter group, broad countermeasures such as graduated driver licensing (GDL) have generally been relied upon to address the young driver problem. GDL evaluations reveal general road safety benefits for young drivers, yet they continue to be overrepresented in fatality and injury statistics. Therefore it is timely for researchers to revisit the ‘problem young driver’ concept to assess its potential countermeasure implications. This is particularly relevant within the context of broader countermeasures that have been designed to address the ‘young driver problem’ Personal characteristics, behaviours and attitudes of 378 Queensland novice drivers aged 17–25 years were explored during their pre-, Learner and Provisional 1 (intermediate) licence as part of a larger longitudinal project. Self-reported risky driving was measured by the Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale (BYNDS), and five subscale scores were used to cluster the drivers into three groups (high risk n=49, medium risk n=163, low risk n=166). High risk ‘problem young drivers’ were characterised by greater self-reported pre-Licence driving, unsupervised Learner driving, and speeding, driving errors, risky driving exposure, crash involvement, and offence detection during the Provisional period. Medium risk drivers were also characterised by more risky road use than the low risk group. Interestingly problem young drivers appear to have some insight into their high-risk driving, since they report significantly greater intentions to bend road rules in future driving. The results suggest that tailored intervention efforts may need to target problem young drivers within the context of broad countermeasures such as GDL which address the young driver problem in general. Experiences such as crash-involvement could be used to identify these drivers as a preintervention screening measure.

Pre-driving adolescent attitudes: Can they change?

The problem of reducing young drivers’ high accident rates has been approached from many different angles but a primary focus has been to try and find ways of changing the attitudes and behaviours of young people who are already drivers. It is hypothesised that there is a link between pre-driver attitudes, intentions and their future driving behaviour. By changing pre-driver attitudes and/or intentions, individuals may mature into safer drivers. This study approaches this young driver problem by looking at pre-drivers’ attitudes to driving to see how they change over time. The results from two questionnaires indicated significant gender differences and changes in responses (both long-term and short-term) over a 6-month period. It is concluded that adolescent attitudes and intentions towards driving remain fluid such that they may be positively influenced through pre-driver interventions, even if only temporarily. Regular pre-driver interventions could thus reinforce safe driving messages and create safety-conscious driving attitudes in the next generation of drivers.

Licensing Age and Teenage Driver Crashes: A Review of the Evidence

Objectives: To discuss the variation in licensing ages around the world and summarize what is known about the effects of differing age limits. Methods: Review of the international literature on the rationale for establishing licensing ages, debates about the justification for higher or lower minimum ages, safety effects of higher minimums, mobility consequences, public opinion, and recent attempts to raise licensing ages. Results: Minimum licensing ages vary from 14 to 18 years old. Early licensing countries have reduced the young driver problem through graduated licensing systems, but consideration is now being given to increasing the licensing age. The available evidence indicates that this would further reduce young driver crashes. There are mobility consequences that are difficult to quantify. In New Jersey, which has long been the one U.S. state with a 17-year-old licensing age, the delay in licensing appears to have minimal effects on lifestyles of 16-year-olds. Public opinion in the United States favors licensing ages higher than 16. Conclusions: In debates about higher licensing ages, jurisdictions are deciding how they want to balance safety and mobility. From a safety standpoint, New Jersey, with its combination of higher licensing age and strong graduated licensing provisions, is the model.

Views of Connecticut Parents of Teens and Other Adults about Graduated Licensing Upgrades

Objectives: Many states, including Connecticut, have strengthened their licensing laws in response to continuing teen deaths. At the time of the survey, Connecticut was considering further changes and it is likely that other states will be doing the same. The objective was to determine parental views about enhancements to the learner stage and to existing night and passenger restrictions. Methods: Parents of teens and a sample of other adults were interviewed by telephone. Results: Connecticut parents were well aware of the provisions of the current law. The majority of parents of teens and a majority of “other adults” supported a requirement for increased driving supervision, a longer permit period, a longer-term passenger restriction, and a night restriction starting earlier than midnight. About half favored a higher minimum permit age. Support was highest among “other adults” and among females in both groups. Conclusions: Survey results such as these can provide guidance to states wishing to reduce the young driver problem through changes in licensing laws. Connecticut in fact enacted new legislation effective August 1, 2008, strengthening requirements in ways supported by parents and other adults. Survey results were available to legislators during their deliberations and may have played a role.

The role of risk-propensity in the risky driving of younger drivers

Young drivers are over-represented in road injury statistics, partly because they engage in more risky driving than older people. Although it is assumed that younger people have greater risk-propensity, defined as a positive attitude to risk, relevant theory is imprecise and relevant research is clouded by inappropriate measures. 89 participants aged 16–25 and 110 participants aged over 35 were recruited outside motor registries. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires including Rohrmann’s [Rohrmann, B. 2004. Risk attitude scales: concepts and questionnaires. Project report. Available at http://www.rohrmannresearch.net/pdfs/rohrmann-racreport.pdf (last accessed 12th February 2008)] measures of risk-aversion, risk-propensity, and risk-related motives for risky driving, as well as measures of risk-perception and risky driving. Compared to older drivers, younger drivers demonstrated lower risk-aversion, and higher propensity for taking accident risks, as well as stronger motives for risky driving in relation to experience-seeking, excitement, sensation-seeking, social influence, prestige-seeking, confidence/familiarity, underestimation of risk, irrelevance of risk, “letting off steam”, and “getting there quicker”. Further, these variables were associated with risky driving. Some evidence was observed for the possibility that risk propensity moderates the relationship between perceived risk and risky behaviour. These results suggest approaches to targeting the “young driver problem”.

Accelerating a Community Response to Safe Teen Driving

The insightful articles in this supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine1 Graham R. Gootman J.A. Preventing teen motor crashes: contributions from the behavioral and social sciences and summary of the report of the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S253-S257 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar , 2 Hedlund J. Introduction: teen driving. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S258-S260 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (8) Google Scholar , 3 Shope J.T. Bingham C.R. Teen driving: motor-vehicle crashes and factors that contribute. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S261-S271 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (172) Google Scholar , 4 Keating D.P. Halpern-Felsher B.L. Adolescent drivers: a developmental perspective on risk, proficiency, and safety. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S272-S277 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (64) Google Scholar , 5 Dahl R.E. Biological, developmental, and neurobehavioral factors relevant to adolescent driving risks. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S278-S284 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (114) Google Scholar , 6 Allen J.P. Brown B.B. Adolescents, peers, and motor vehicles: the perfect storm?. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S289-S293 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (97) Google Scholar , 7 Simons-Morton B.G. Ouimet M.C. Catalano R.F. Parenting and the young driver problem. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S294-S303 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (74) Google Scholar , 8 Williams A.F. Mayhew D.R. Graduated licensing and beyond. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S324-S333 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (26) Google Scholar , 9 D'Angelo L.J. Halpern-Felsher B.L. From the exam room to behind the wheel: can healthcare providers affect automobile morbidity and mortality in teens?. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S304-S309 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (10) Google Scholar , 10 Lonero L.P. Trends in driver education and training. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S316-S323 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (43) Google Scholar , 11 Runyan C.W. Yonas M. Conceptual frameworks for developing and comparing approaches to improve adolescent motor-vehicle safety. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S336-S342 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (18) Google Scholar , 12 Williams A.F. Afterword: teen driving. Am J Prev Med. 2008; 35: S343-S344 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (5) Google Scholar make three key points. First, teen driving deaths and injuries remain unacceptably high, and represent a chronic public health problem. Second, much progress has been made during recent decades to address the issue. And, third, much more needs to be done.

Vehicles Driven by Teenagers in Their First Year of Licensure

Objective. to determine access to vehicles, vehicle ownership and its correlates, and types of vehicles driven by teenagers during their first year of licensure. Methods. About 3,500 Connecticut teenagers and their parents recruited at DMV offices participated in a study aimed at persuading parents to impose and maintain driving restrictions on their sons and daughters. Telephone interviews with teens and parents, which included questions on vehicles driven, were conducted upon licensure and at intervals throughout the year. Results. The majority of both male and female teens owned vehicles immediately upon licensure. Family income and number of vehicles in the family were associated with early ownership. A year later 74% owned vehicles. Small cars, which provide inferior crash protection, were the most popular vehicle; the percent driving small cars increased from 36% to 42% over the year. About 25% were driving SUVs, pickups, or sports cars, which may increase crash risk for young beginners. One year after licensure, only 35% of teens were driving midsize or large passenger cars, the types of vehicles recommended for them, and about one-third of these vehicles were 10 or more years old. Owners were more likely than non-owners to drive older and smaller vehicles, to drive more miles, do more risky driving, and to have more traffic violations and crashes. Discussion. Many teenagers in Connecticut were driving vehicles that rank low in crash protection or may increase crash risk. Attention to the young driver problem has been focused primarily on managing driving risks through graduated licensing systems. More attention needs to be given to the vehicles teens drive, and how decisions about vehicle type and ownership are made. Parents exert control over what vehicles their sons and daughters drive, and may benefit from information on how to make choices that better balance cost, safety, and other factors that go into these decisions.

Commentary: Next Steps for Graduated Licensing

Every motorized country in the world has a young driver problem. In the United States, licensing practices in place for most of the 20th century exacerbated the problem. Licensing ages around the w...

Graduated licensing comes to the United States

Objective—To describe the young driver problem and the emergence of graduated licensing as a way to address it. Methods—Literature review and commentary. Results—Twenty four states in the United States adopted...

Psychological Factors in Road Traffic Accidents: Statistical Evidence and a Study of the Effects of Viewing an Antispeeding Film

Published data show strong, but indirect, evidence for the role of psychological factors in fatal road accidents in both parts of Ireland. Males are much more often killed in accidents than females, and this remains the case when only vehicle drivers are considered. In both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, male deaths are strongly linked to age, with those of 18-24 years being most at risk. If drivers only are considered, then the Northern Ireland statistics again show a pronounced peak in the 18-24 years range, but this is less evident in the Republic of Ireland. These data replicate the young driver problem, previously documented in studies in many countries. The second part of this paper presents data from a study conducted by an advertising agency evaluating a film to be used as part of a televised campaign to reduce speeding in Northern Ireland. Participants (17-24 years old) produced second-by-second ratings of films as they watched them. The anti-speeding film was rated as more interesting, but no more relevant to them than comparison films with different content. In post-viewing questionnaires, the anti-speeding film was again rated as more interesting but no more relevant than the other films. Content analysis of other questions showed that participants liked the fact that the film showed the dangers and the consequences of speeding, and participants either disliked nothing about the film or disliked the distressing accident shown in the film. Implications for health promotion strategies and their evaluation are discussed.