Hoon driving: predicting involvement from social learning and deterrence perspectives

Hooning, or the use of vehicles in an antisocial, ?loutish? and dangerous manner
constitutes the phenomenon of hooning, a risky behaviour which has received recent
attention in regards to road safety. This study used a web-based survey of over 700
predominantly young, university students to detail the extent of involvement in hooning, and
the relative ability of Social Learning and Deterrence theories to account for the behaviour.
While both Deterrence (DT) and Social Learning Theory (SLT) were significant predictors of
hooning individually, SLT predicted the behaviour over and above DT. Significant components
of DT included Perceived Severity of Punishment and Punishment Avoidance, while the
strongest SLT predictors were Attitudes to the behaviour and Rewards gained from taking
part in the behaviour. These results highlight the particular social nature of hooning
behaviour, where groups of mainly young drivers gather with a focal point of the vehicles. The
key element that enforcement has in deterring becoming involved is also noted. Future
possible directions in intervention development are presented based on these findings.