Parent and adolescent risky driving behaviours: New Zealand drivers study

The aim of the present study was to describe and compare the risky and dangerous driving behaviours of parents and their newly licensed adolescents. The role of parent and adolescent gender in this relationship was also examined. This study was part of a longitudinal study of 3992 newly licensed drivers, the New Zealand Drivers Study (NZDS). At the restricted licence stage 894 young drivers and their parent (who supervised their driving at the learner licence stage) independently reported their risky and dangerous driving behaviours by completing the Manchester Driving Behaviour Questionnaire. Parents and adolescents reported low levels of driving violations and errors overall. A significant, but weak association between parent and adolescent risky driving behaviours was evident. (a)