Young driver risk taking: a description of dangerous driving situations among 16- to 19-year-old drivers.

Dangerous drinking and driving situations contribute heavily to morbidity and mortality among older adolescents. One hundred ninety-two high school drivers related 662 dangerous driving incidents (430 by males, 232 by females) in which they were involved in the preceding 6 months. Dangerous driving incidents were characterized by reckless intent, driving late at night, riding with other peers involving alcohol and drugs, reporting impaired driving, and distractions in the car. Adolescent drivers are commonly involved in dangerous drinking-driving situations with peers and without significant consequences. There are points along the continuum leading up to, during, and after such events that offer opportunities for significant prevention and intervention. Such strategies are reviewed.