Young drivers' perceptions of culpability of sleep-deprived versus drinking drivers.
BACKGROUND
Sleep-deprived driving can be as dangerous as alcohol-impaired driving, however, little is known about attitudes toward sleep-deprived drivers. This study examined the extent to which young drivers regard sleep-deprived compared to drinking drivers as culpable for a crash, and how their perceptions of driving while in these conditions differ.


METHODS
University student participants (N=295; M=20.4years, SD=1.3; 81% women) were randomly assigned to read one of five fatal motor-vehicle crash scenarios, which differed by aspects of the driver's condition. Culpability ratings for the drinking driver were higher than those for the sleep-deprived driver.


RESULTS
Qualitative findings revealed that driving while sleep-deprived was viewed as understandable, and driving after drinking was viewed as definitely wrong. The dangers of sleep-deprived driving remain under-recognized.
School of Social Work, Arizona State University, USA. lrw@asu.edu
Lela Rankin
LR
Williams
David R
DR
Davies
Kris
K
Thiele
Judith R
JR
Davidson
Alistair W
AW
MacLean
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005144:F Factor; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000150:complications*; D055815:Young Adult