Risky Driving Behaviours Among Canadian Adults - A Cluster Analysis

Abstract

To explore the key factors associated with risky driving behaviours (RDBs) and determine whether distinct patterns of RDBs co-exist among drivers and, if so, identify characteristics that differentiate subgroups of drivers.

Self-reported RDBs of 47,356 Canadian drivers were drawn from the Canadian Community Health Survey. Descriptive analyses explored the factors associated with six RDBs. K-means cluster analysis examined whether RDBs coexisted among drivers as patterns and logistic regression models explored associations between mental health factors and the subgroups of drivers.

Five heterogeneous subgroups of drivers were revealed: 1. Fatigued driving and excessive speeding and aggressive driving (20.6%); 2. Cell phone-distracted driving and DUIA (11.7%); 3. Rare cell phone-distracted driving and fatigued driving (30.0%); 4. Seat belt non-compliance (4.4%); and 5. Drivers who refrained from RDBs (33.3%). External factors uniquely profiled the five subgroups. Mental health factors were associated with two patterns of RDBs and may contribute to engagement in RDBs.