Biomedical subjects

Sirkku Laapotti

Publications and source records attributed to Sirkku Laapotti.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Does increased confidence among novice drivers imply a decrease in safety? The effects of skid training on slippery road accidents.

Finnish driver training was renewed in 1990 with the inclusion of a compulsory skid training course in the curriculum. The study evaluated the renewal's effect on accidents in slippery road conditions. A questionnaire was sent by mail to 41000 novice drivers who were randomly selected from the official register of driving licences. It included questions on driving exposure and the accidents the drivers had been involved in during 6-18 months following licensing. The rate of return was 74.7%. Half of the drivers had received their licence in 1989 and had, therefore, not received any skid training. The other half had received their licence in 1990 after the introduction of the skid training course. The results showed no effects of the renewal on slippery road accidents for either male or female drivers. Another questionnaire was sent to 1300 old and new curriculum drivers immediately after licensing and a second time 1/2-1 year later, both with questions about skills, worries and perceived risks regarding driving in slippery conditions. The new curriculum drivers showed higher confidence in their skills and they were less afraid to drive in slippery conditions than the old curriculum drivers. This increase in confidence as a result of skid training is discussed. It is argued that high confidence in one's personal skills does not necessarily imply negative safety. The crucial factor is how these skills are used, and for what purpose.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed2004

Has the difference in accident patterns between male and female drivers changed between 1984 and 2000?

The motorcar accident pattern of culpable young (18-25 years old) and middle-aged (35-55 years old) male and female drivers was studied in Finland. The aim was to see whether the difference in accident patterns between males and females has remained constant or whether it has changed over a 16-year period. Two different sets of traffic accident data were used. The first set of data covered all motorcar accidents for which damages were paid between 1987 and 2000, a total of 140802 accidents. The second set of data covered all fatal motor vehicle accidents in Finland during the time period between 1984 and 2000, a total of 2401 accidents. The results are analysed and discussed in the framework of a four-level hierarchical model of driving behaviour [Keskinen, E., 1996. Why do young drivers have more accidents? In: Junge, F., Fahrerinnen (Eds.), Young Drivers (in German and in English). Berichte der Bundesanstalt für Strabetaenwesen, Mensch und Sicherheit, Heft M 52, Bergisch Gladbach, Germany; Hatakka, M., Keskinen, E., Gregersen, N.P., Glad, A., Hernetkoski, K., 2002. From control of the vehicle to personal self-control; broadening the perspectives to driver education. Transportation Res. Part F 5 (3), 201-215]. Female drivers had proportionally more accidents that were connected to vehicle manoeuvring and control of traffic situations, e.g. reversing and loss-of-control accidents in a sober state and when not speeding. Male drivers, and especially young male drivers, had proportionally more accidents connected to higher levels of driving behaviour like motives for driving and attitudes. Factors that characterised these accidents were speeding and alcohol consumption. Male drivers also had previous traffic offences more often than female drivers. The study concludes that the difference in accident patterns between male and female drivers has remained constant, i.e. the accident pattern of female drivers was as dissimilar to the accident pattern of male drivers in the year 2000 as in the middle of the 1980s.

Accidents, Traffic↗

PubMed2003

Comparison of young male and female drivers' attitude and self-reported traffic behaviour in Finland in 1978 and 2001.

PROBLEM: This study evaluates how the traffic behaviors of young drivers and their attitudes toward traffic regulations have changed over the last 23 years, and particularly, whether the differences in attitudes and behavior between male and female drivers have changed. METHOD: The study was conducted in 2001, and it replicated a traffic attitude survey administered in 1978. The same survey was used, enabling comparison between the years. The number of respondents was 3158 in 1978 and 2759 in 2001. RESULTS: The comparison revealed several differences regarding the background factors, attitudes, and driving style of novice drivers. Most obvious changes in the drivers' background were the changes in education level (higher today), driver training (more private training today), and exposure/experience in terms of kilometers (more today). The summary variable measured that the young drivers showed more negative attitudes toward traffic rules and safe driving in 2001 compared to 1978. Female drivers drove less than males and evaluated their driving skill lower. Female drivers were less involved in accidents and they committed less traffic offenses than males (kilometrage controlled). Female drivers showed a more positive attitude toward traffic safety and rules than males. The difference in traffic attitudes and behavior between males and females in 1978 compared to 2001 remained the same or even increased somewhat.

Adolescent↗