The contribution of perceived parental and familial characteristics to attitudes toward accompanied driving among young drivers

One of the main requirements of the graduated driving licensing system in Israel is that new drivers be accompanied by an experienced driver (usually one of their parents) for the first three months after receipt of their license. The current series of studies examined the associations between young drivers’ attitudes toward accompanied driving (ATAD) and their perception of their parents’ driving styles and parenting modes, as well as dynamic of their family. Young drivers completed questionnaires assessing their ATAD, and either perceived parental driving style (Study 1, n = 100), perceived parenting style (Study 2, n = 120), or perceived family dynamic (Study 3, n = 254). The results indicated significant associations between the young drivers’ ATAD of tension, relatedness, avoidance, disapproval, and anxiety, and their own perceptions of the characteristic driving styles of their parents (risky, anxious, angry, and careful). They also indicated significant relationship between youngsters’ ATAD and their perceptions of their parents’ parenting modes (responsive, demanding, and autonomy-granting). Finally, the results indicated significant negative associations between ATAD of tension, avoidance, disapproval, and anxiety, and family cohesion and adaptability, and a positive association between these two and relatedness. The results are discussed in respect to the relationship between the parental model and the young drivers’ ATAD in particular, and risk management in general, and practical implications of these results are offered.

► New drivers in Israel have to be accompanied by an experienced driver (usually one of their parents) for the first three months after receipt of their license.
► Three studies provide evidence of the relationships between young drivers’ attitudes toward accompanied driving (ATAD) and their perception of their parents’ driving styles, parenting modes, and dynamic of their family.
► The studies indicate the importance of early parental behaviors and the model they provide for their children.
► Parents should be made aware of the fact that their behavior is modeled by their offspring, probably long before they themselves begin to drive. This heightened awareness might encourage parents to become positive models, leading the way to safer driving by their children, as well as by themselves.