Drinking and driving : prearrest situational factors associated with those who illegally drink and drive in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to explore situational factors antecedent to drink driving among a sample of convicted New Zealand drink drivers. Specifically, it aimed to determine if the situational factors reported among convicted drink drivers differed from those reported by a control group from the general driving population. A second aim was to determine whether the situational factors reported by the convicted drink drivers varied as a function of their demographic characteristics. Two groups were compared: a random sample of people arrested for driving while intoxicated (N = 43) and a sample of the New Zealand general driving population matched 'on some characteristics (N = 43). Self report data assessing the situational factors and demographic variables were collected from subjects using modified versions of Vegaga and Klitzner's (1989) "Drinking Driving Interview". The results indicate that although there were some significant variations, the groups were not dissimilar on the situational factors. Situational factors did not vary greatly with the drink drivers' demographic characteristics. Ethical and practical problems in conducting research on antisocial behaviour are addressed. Future research needs are identified, in particular, research to determine the generalizability of the present findings and research directed towards an examination of personality characteristics of New Zealand drink drivers and their interaction with situational factors in creating a drink drive situation. Practical implications of the present findings for prevention policies and educational/intervention programmes are also offered.