title: Risky driving among UK regular armed forces personnel: changes over time.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the prevalence of self-reported risky driving in a sample of UK military personnel at 2 different time points (2004 and 2009), and to identify the incidence of new onset risky driving and possible determinants of becoming a new risky driver.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were used from 2 phases of a military cohort study investigating the health and well-being of UK military personnel between 2004 and 2009. Participants were included if they were undertaking regular (rather than reserve) engagements, had completed both surveys and reported being a driver at both surveys. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between risky driving status and sociodemographic and military characteristics. Data analysis was conducted in 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of risky driving reduced from 18% to 14%, over an average of 3.3 years. The incidence of new onset risky driving was 7%. Predictors for becoming a new risky driver were: younger age, not being in a relationship at phase 2 and harmful alcohol use. Those deployed after 2007 were less likely to become risky drivers following deployment, compared with those deployed before 2007 (adjusted OR 0.62 (95% CI 0.40 to 0.95)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of becoming a risky driver appears to have reduced over time. This paper suggests a number of explanations for this reduction, including changes in the way that the UK military have dealt with road safety with the introduction of the road safety campaign (in 2007).
authors.affiliation: King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, London, UK Centre for Mental Health Research, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Australia National University, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca J Syed
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Sheriff
authors.affiliation: King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: Harriet J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.affiliation: King's Centre for Military Health Research, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: Simon C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Wessely
authors.affiliation: Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.affiliation: Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: Norman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fertout
authors.affiliation: MOD, Defence Statistics Health, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.affiliation: Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health, King's College London, Weston Education Centre, London, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Fear
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; PREVENTIVE MEDICINE; PSYCHIATRY