NCJ Number
191815
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 38 Issue: 4 Dated: November 2001 Pages: 439-359
Date Published
2001
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examined the relationship between risky behavior in traffic offenses and criminal behavior.
Abstract
An important issue in the social sciences concerns the extent to which behavior in specific situations can be understood in terms of more general traits or behavioral tendencies. This study examined the issue of cross-situational consistency, specifically with regard to the relationship between criminal behavior in the traffic environment. It was hypothesized that criminal behavior and risky behavior in traffic reflect a general tendency for risk taking. Risk taking involves not taking appropriate account of the possibility of negative consequences of one’s actions. The data for the study came from a random sample of 1,513 persons involved in traffic accidents. Most accidents involved more than one participant. The study compared the criminal records of those participants identified from the police records as contributing to the accident by risky driving, to those who could be considered passive victims. The findings showed that risky behavior in traffic was related to criminal involvement for the three forms of criminal offenses included in this study--violent crime, vandalism, and property crime. This supported the idea that behavior is consistent across situations and that there are relatively broad traits underlying diverse forms of behavior. The study also found a positive relationship between risky traffic behavior and traffic crime. In summary, the results found a common factor underlying risky behavior in traffic and criminal behavior. This underlying trait may represent a general disregard for the long-term adverse consequences of one’s actions, and could be labeled risk-taking, impulsiveness, or lack of self-control. Appendix, tables, notes, and references