Accuracy of self-report of on-road crashes and traffic offences in a cohort of young drivers: the DRIVE study

Inj Prev. 2010 Aug;16(4):275-7. doi: 10.1136/ip.2009.024877. Epub 2010 Apr 26.

Abstract

In order to determine the accuracy of self-report of on-road crashes and traffic offences among participants in the DRIVE study, 2991 young drivers in New South Wales, Australia who completed the follow-up questionnaire were asked whether they had been involved in an on-road crash or were convicted for a traffic offence while driving during the year prior to the survey. This information was linked to police crash data to determine the level of accuracy of self-report of on-road crashes. There was a high level of accuracy in young drivers' self-report of police recorded crashes (85.1%; 95% CI 78.2% to 92.1%) and of police recorded traffic offences (83.0%; 95% CI 79.4% to 86.6%). Results suggest that surveys may be useful tools for estimating the incidence of on-road crashes and traffic offences in young drivers. The findings are particularly relevant to jurisdictions where access to administrative data is limited.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Automobile Driving / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Automobile Driving / standards
  • Automobile Driving / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New South Wales
  • Police
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk-Taking
  • Self Report / standards
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult