Dual processes and the peer passenger effect

What is it about?

Prior studies indicated higher collision rates among young novice drivers with peer passengers. This driving simulator study provided a test for a dual process theory of risky driving by examining social rewards (peer passengers) and cognitive control (inhibitory control). The analyses included age (17–18yrs, n = 30; 21–24 yrs, n = 20). Risky, distracting, and protective effects were classified by underlying driver error mechanisms. In the first drive, participants drove alone. In the second, participants drove with a peer passenger. Red-light running (violation) was more prevalent in the presence of peer passengers, which provided initial support for a dual process theory of risk driving. In a subgroup with low inhibitory con-trol, speeding (violation) was more prevalent in the presence of peer passengers. Reduced lane-keeping variability reflected distracting effects. Nevertheless, possible protective effects for amber-light running and hazard handling (cognition and decision-making) were found in the drive with peer passengers.

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Why is it important?

Young novice drivers have a higher risk of collisions when they drive with peer passengers . Furthermore, the risk of a fatal collision increases with the number of peer passengers and, for male drivers with male passenger. Although the effect of peer passengers on non-fatal collisions is less established, injury risk also increases with peer passengers. A dual process theory of risky driving provides a theoretical framework for the peer passenger effect by considering the imbalance between the development of the social-affective brain and the cognitive control system.