LIFE-STYLE AND ACCIDENTS AMONG YOUNG DRIVERS

This study covers the lifestyle component of the problems related to y oung drivers' accident risk. The purpose of the study is to measure th e relationship between lifestyle and accident risk, and to identify sp ecific high-risk and low-risk groups. Lifestyle is measured through a questionnaire, where 20-year-olds describe themselves and how often th ey deal with a large number of different activities, like sports, musi c, movies, reading, cars and driving, political engagement, etc. They also report their involvement in traffic accidents. With a principal c omponent analysis followed by a cluster analysis, lifestyle profiles a re defined. These profiles are finally correlated to accidents, which makes it possible to define high-risk and low-risk groups. The cluster analysis defined 15 clusters including four high-risk groups with an average overrisk of 150% and two low-fisk groups with an average under risk of 75%. The results are discussed from two perspectives. The firs t is the importance of theoretical understanding of the contribution o f lifestyle factors to young drivers' high accident risk. The second i s how the findings could be used in practical road safety measures, li ke education, campaigns, etc.