Behavioural factors as predictors of motor vehicle crashes: Differentials between young urban and rural drivers

Abstract

Objective: To describe the driver and behavioural factors that predispose young drivers to crash in the first 12 months of driving and to compare whether these factors differ between young urban and rural drivers. Methods: A cohort comprising 1796 newly licensed urban and rural drivers from Western Australia was recruited and followed over the first 12 months of driving. Using Cox proportional hazard analysis, driver and behavioural factors were assessed to determine whether they predicted the likelihood of a crash. Results: The incidence rate for a motor vehicle crash was marginally higher for urban drivers compared with rural drivers (Urban: IR=4.2/10,000 driving days; Rural: IR=3.7/10,000..