A Procedural Analysis of Fatal Collisions involving Young Drivers and Implications for Situational Prevention Techniques: A Script Analysis

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

This study adopts the script perspective to provide a detailed description of the step-by-step process of fatal collisions involving young drivers, that is, from the point where drivers plan first to use their car to the fatal outcome. After having identified the script, situational prevention techniques (SPT) to address the actions adopted by the driver at each scene of the process are proposed. A special focus is given to the interactions between drivers and third parties (e.g. potential guardians and instigators). Data were collected from police reports and investigations reconstructing the last 24 hours before the collision (n=179). At the outset, several trips are realized for leisure activities (parties, restaurants or bars) and 15% of the drivers are already intoxicated by drugs and/or alcohol. Friends are present in 28.6% of the cases. Fifty-two percent of drivers are involved in a collision immediately after leaving the initial place (residences in 60% of the cases). Other drivers (48%) are involved in several trips, going from a bar to another, becoming more intoxicated. Friends often act as instigators (33.3%); they encourage the drinking and do not attempt to prevent driving-while-intoxicated. SPT targeting the vehicle and the physical environment appear to be promising.

Authors

• Sophie Roy, Université de Montréal

• Etienne Blais, Université de Montréal

• Benoit Leclerc, Griffith University