Risky driving and recorded driving offences: a 24-year follow-up study.

Permanent individual differences in driver behavior and accident risk have long been under active debate. Cognitive and personality factors have correlated with risky driving indicators in cross-sectional studies, and prospective cohort studies are now increasingly revealing early antecedents of risky behavior and injury mortality in adult age, with connections to stable personality traits. However, long-term stability in driver behavior or accident involvement has not been documented in a general driver population.

Alcohol ignition interlocks in all new vehicles: a broader perspective.

Objective: To discuss the implications of widespread implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks.

Method: We base our discussion on data from Finland including crash statistics and surveys collected from criminal justice professionals and general driving population.

Results: Alcohol ignition interlocks are an effective preventive measure against drunk driving when installed in the vehicles of convicted drunk drivers.

In-car cell phone use and hazards following hands free legislation.

Objective: A new law took effect in Finland at the beginning of 2003 which prohibits the handheld use of mobile phones while driving a motor vehicle. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the law on phone usage and self-reported safety during the first few months and 16 months later to determine whether the initial level of compliance with the law had been sustained.

Methods: Data were collected by Gallup home poll before (spring 2002) and after legislation took effect (spring 2003 and 2004).

Factors influencing the use of cellular (mobile) phone during driving and hazards while using it.

This study addressed the strategic decisions on not using a mobile phone at all while driving, and phone-related driving hazards among those drivers who do use one, reflecting tactical and operational level processes. A representative sample of 834 licensed drivers who own a mobile phone were interviewed on their phone use and hazards, background factors, and self-image as a driver. Logistic regression models indicated that older age, female gender, smaller amount of driving, and occupation promoted not using a phone at all while driving.

Comparison of young male and female drivers' attitude and self-reported traffic behaviour in Finland in 1978 and 2001.

Problem: This study evaluates how the traffic behaviors of young drivers and their attitudes toward traffic regulations have changed over the last 23 years, and particularly, whether the differences in attitudes and behavior between male and female drivers have changed.

Method: The study was conducted in 2001, and it replicated a traffic attitude survey administered in 1978. The same survey was used, enabling comparison between the years.