Driving “Immunization” in Alienated Young Men

Abstract

When driving workshops were conducted in classes of seniors in five high schools in southeastern Michigan, using non-directive discussion of trigger films and members' own highway experiences, young men appeared to drive somewhat more dangerously for the first nine months and then more safely, relative to control groups. A medical analogy is suggested: the workshops appeared to produce a mild “infection” of unsafe driving followed by an increase in “immunity.” These effects were more visible for workshop men who were relatively alienated from the school system in terms of having poorer grades and being older than average; during the second year their driving record was as good as that of their non-alienated peers.