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Executive Function Capacities, Negative Driving Behavior and Crashes in Young Drivers

Author

Listed:
  • Elizabeth A. Walshe

    (Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
    Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Chelsea Ward McIntosh

    (Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Daniel Romer

    (Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Flaura K. Winston

    (Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

Abstract

Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of injury and death in adolescents, with teen drivers three times more likely to be in a fatal crash when compared to adults. One potential contributing risk factor is the ongoing development of executive functioning with maturation of the frontal lobe through adolescence and into early adulthood. Atypical development resulting in poor or impaired executive functioning (as in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) has been associated with risky driving and crash outcomes. However, executive function broadly encompasses a number of capacities and domains (e.g., working memory, inhibition, set-shifting). In this review, we examine the role of various executive function sub-processes in adolescent driver behavior and crash rates. We summarize the state of methods for measuring executive control and driving outcomes and highlight the great heterogeneity in tools with seemingly contradictory findings. Lastly, we offer some suggestions for improved methods and practical ways to compensate for the effects of poor executive function (such as in-vehicle assisted driving devices). Given the key role that executive function plays in safe driving, this review points to an urgent need for systematic research to inform development of more effective training and interventions for safe driving among adolescents.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth A. Walshe & Chelsea Ward McIntosh & Daniel Romer & Flaura K. Winston, 2017. "Executive Function Capacities, Negative Driving Behavior and Crashes in Young Drivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:11:p:1314-:d:116756
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wenshuo Wang & Junqiang Xi & Huiyan Chen, 2014. "Modeling and Recognizing Driver Behavior Based on Driving Data: A Survey," Mathematical Problems in Engineering, Hindawi, vol. 2014, pages 1-20, February.
    2. M. Kit Delgado & Kathryn J. Wanner & Catherine McDonald, 2016. "Adolescent Cellphone Use While Driving: An Overview of the Literature and Promising Future Directions for Prevention," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 79-89.
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    Cited by:

    1. Melissa R. Freire & Cassandra Gauld & Angus McKerral & Kristen Pammer, 2021. "Identifying Interactive Factors That May Increase Crash Risk between Young Drivers and Trucks: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Javadreza Vahedi & Afshin Shariat Mohaymany & Zahra Tabibi & Milad Mehdizadeh, 2018. "Aberrant Driving Behaviour, Risk Involvement, and Their Related Factors Among Taxi Drivers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Karoline Gomes-Franco & Mario Rivera-Izquierdo & Luis Miguel Martín-delosReyes & Eladio Jiménez-Mejías & Virginia Martínez-Ruiz, 2020. "Explaining the Association between Driver’s Age and the Risk of Causing a Road Crash through Mediation Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-12, December.
    4. Da Tao & Xiaofeng Diao & Xingda Qu & Xiaoting Ma & Tingru Zhang, 2023. "The Predictors of Unsafe Behaviors among Nuclear Power Plant Workers: An Investigation Integrating Personality, Cognitive and Attitudinal Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-15, January.

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