Publication date: 27 Dec 2021
What is already known about this subject:
- Road traffic crashes (RTC) are a leading cause of injury and death among young people. Those with severe mental health disorders are at increased risk of RTC.
- We used data from the Raine Study Gen2 participants to examine the effect of less severe mental health conditions at age 17 on RTC through to age 27.
- In addition, some behavioural conditions such as aggression and delinquency are likely to increase driving risk activities (e.g. speeding, 'mobile 'phone use) so our analysis adjusted for a range of risk activities that may also increase RTC.
What this study adds
- We used mental health measures collected at age 17 to predict RTC to age 27, adjusting for driving risk activities and other risk factors (e.g. alcohol use, social economic measures). RTC outcomes were reported by 937 Gen2 participants, who formed the cohort for this analysis.
- High scores on Internalising problems (depression, anxiety) were associated with lower risk of RTC while high scores on Externalising problems (e.g. aggression and delinquency) were associated with increased risk. However, after controlling for driving risk activities these were no longer significant.
- Falling asleep while driving, using a hands free phone, showing hostility to other drivers all increased the risk of RCT between 30-35 percent. Understanding the relationship between externalising behaviour and driving actions is critical if we are to address increased risk of RTC.