Age and gender differences in conviction and crash occurrence subsequent to being directed to Iowa's driver improvement program

IntroductionThis paper investigates potential gender and age differences in conviction and crash occurrence subsequent to being directed to attend Iowa's Driver Improvement Program (DIP).MethodsBinary logit models were developed to investigate the factors that influence conviction occurrence after DIP by gender and age. Because of the low crash occurrence subsequent to DIP, association rules were applied to investigate the factors that influence crash occurrence subsequent to DIP, in lieu of econometric models.ResultsThere were statistical significant differences by driver gender, age, and conviction history in the likelihood of subsequent convictions. However, this paper found no association between DIP outcome, crash history, and crash occurrence.Impact on industryEvaluating the differences in conviction and crash occurrence subsequent to DIP between female and male drivers, and among different age groups can lead to improvements of the effectiveness of DIPs and help to identify low-cost intervention measures, customized based on drivers’ gender and age, for improving driving behaviors.

► 9,055 records of drivers who had been directed to attend Iowa's DIP are considered.
► We examine gender and age differences in conviction and crash occurrence.
► Conviction occurrence differs by driver gender, age, conviction history, and DIP outcome.
► DIP completion more effective for older drivers than younger drivers.
► No association between DIP outcome, crash history, and crash occurrence was found.