Investigation of relationships between performance measures and self-report measures of impulse control and risky driving on a simulator

Young drivers are overrepresented in crash statistics, partly because of their risky driving. Some risky driving results from inexperience and error, but intentional risky driving probably owes more to youth-related factors, such as risk motivation and poor impulse control. Research demonstrating relationships between impulse control and risky driving has typically relied on self-report measures of impulsivity and risky driving. To avoid the concerns with self-reported measurements, a few recent studies have considered relationships of performance measures of response inhibition with driving. However, the results of these studies are somewhat ambiguous. The Hazard Perception Test [HPT] that is used in the licensing procedures in New South Wales [NSW] Australia includes some scenarios that appear to involve impulse control. Performance on these scenarios demonstrates the best prediction of later offenses and crashes, but association with performance during a continuous drive is yet to be assessed. Further investigation of the relationship between performance measures of impulse control and risky driving is warranted.