The effect of neurodevelopment on the multidimensional characteristics of distinct risky-driving groups
Author(s): Thomas Brown
Slidedeck Presentation Only (no paper submitted):
Abstract:
A preliminary study in young adult (19-39 years) drivers (Brown et al., 2016) found that risky driving preference was associated with distinct behavioural, psychological and neurobiological characteristics. This age range involves considerable evolution in personality and reward and cognitive control systems. We conducted secondary analyses to ascertain the factors that may influence distinct forms of risky driving at different development stages. Analysis conducted on data (N = 138) from the preliminary study examined age effects in four driving groups (i.e., alcohol impaired [DWI], reckless [SPEED], both impaired and reckless [MIXED], and low-risk controls [CTL]) on driving simulation behaviour, and psychological and neurobiological measures. Older DWI drivers showed disinhibition, which was associated with length of alcohol exposure. Older MIXED drivers exhibited elevated reward sensitivity and risky driving behaviour. Young SPEED drivers showed elevated risky driving behaviour accompanied by low agreeableness personality, while older SPEED drivers exhibited elevated sensation seeking and risk-taking propensity but no risky driving behaviour. Unique neurobiological processes appear to predominate in distinct forms of risky driving behaviour at different ages. This suggests that the design of more personalized interventions will requires consideration of not only risky-driving preference, but driver age and neurodevelopment as well.