Studied the characteristics of adolescents who ride with a drinking driver but do not drink and drive themselves. Selected socio-demographic characteristics and alcohol related attitudes and behaviors are investigated. Findings suggest riding with a drinking driver may lead to the eventual practice of drinking and driving. (Author)

Using data covering 111 weeks, the impact of 3 increasingly restrictive policies on reporting hot pursuits by police officers on the ratio of accidents to reported pursuits was studied. More restrictive pursuit policies did not increase noncompliance with reporting requirements. (SLD)

Objective: To prospectively assess the prevalence, course, and predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) in children after road traffic accidents (RTAs). Method: Sixty-eight children (6.5-14.5 years old) were interviewed 4-6 weeks and 12 months after an RTA with the Child PTSD Reaction Index (response rate 58.6%). Their mothers (n = 60)…

In a series of experiments, kindergarten children were to look out for traffic while standing at a curb and to tell the experimenter when they could cross the street. In trials without oncoming traffic clear differences were found between 4-year-old children and older kindergarten children. The 4-year-olds most often looked in one direction only.…

Presented is the report of a workshop to review the state-of-the-art and government plans for research, development, and deployment of personal systems for independent travel by the physically handicapped. Section I includes papers on the interest and role of Veterans Administration, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Department of…

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Driver Education Evaluation Program and this initial report to Congress on that program are concerned with the first countermeasure within the driver programing area. Primary concern in this report is to provide the following information: (1) the context within which the driver education…

Investigated the tendency of 150 ninth-grade students to comply with peers in various risky alcohol and driving situations. Experimental groups received a one-week preventive alcohol education program. Results showed experimental groups reporting significantly lower levels of compliance toward the risky situations. (Author/JAC)

This article describes programs successfully combating drunk driving among teenagers in Maine, Virginia, and New York, discusses the nationwide movement called Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD), anti-drunk driving legislation, and the need for increased alcohol education, and provides information on how to emphasize student sobriety and safety…

Senior drivers are vulnerable to automobile crashes and subsequent injury and death. Safety belts reduce health risks associated with auto crashes. Therefore, it is important to encourage senior drivers to wear safety belts while driving. Using a repeated baseline design (AAB), we previously reported that motivating signs boosted safety belt usage…

Drinking and driving is perhaps the most serious problem associated with heavy drinking among college students in the United States. In this study, the authors examined drinking locations prior to impaired driving in a college student sample. They administered the Impaired Driving Assessment to 91 college students identified as high risk for…

Psychiatric comorbidity likely contributes to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol among repeat offenders. This study presents one of the first descriptions of the prevalence and comorbidity of psychiatric disorders among repeat DUI offenders in treatment. Participants included all consenting eligible admissions (N=729) to a 2-week…

This study reports on the crash performance of large poststandard school buses (school buses manufactured after April 1, 1977, and weighing more than 10,000 pounds unloaded) in 43 accidents investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. The report discusses the Safety Board's findings as to how well the standards are working to protect…

An analysis was made of the extent to which the safety characteristics of new vehicles affect consumer purchase decisions. Using an extensive data set that combines vehicle data collected by the Automobile Club of Southern California Target Car Program with the responses from a national household survey of new car buyers, a statistical model of…

A study examined the potential for development of a traffic accident-reporting form in the Canadian daily press that strengthens concern for road safety in the general population and enhances knowledge, attitudes, and behavior leading to greater safety. The investigation was conducted on three levels: a content analysis, a readership analysis, and…

This paper reports on a study of the effects of a Tennessee law aimed at increasing the protection of children in cars. The law, which came into force January 1, 1978, requires parents to use child restraints properly when transporting their children who are less than 4 years old. Alternatively, the law permits children to be held in arms, a…