| Distracted driving, including drinking and driving and texting and driving, is a dangerous and pervasive problem. Because distracted driving is a common and dangerous practice in the United States, researchers have generated theories as to why some are more likely to drink and drive and text and drive. The personality trait of impulsivity may help explain why individuals engage in risky behaviors while driving. Current early intervention programs aimed at deterring risky driving behaviors have been unsuccessful. Fatal vision goggles (FVGs) interventions have been shown to be effective in encouraging healthy attitudes toward drinking and driving in college-aged populations. The current study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an FVG intervention on 8th graders' attitudes toward drinking and driving and texting and driving. Sixty-one students were recruited and randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: driving a pedal go-kart through an obstacle course, driving while texting, driving while wearing FVGs, and driving while texting and wearing FVGs. Pre and post measurements of attitudes toward drinking and driving and texting and driving were administered. Impulsivity levels were also measured. Results indicated a significant relationship between impulsivity and likelihood of drinking while driving. Despite treatment groups, attitudes toward texting and driving became healthier from pre to post treatment. |
