Study on Risk Tolerance of Passenger Car Drivers Aged 18 – 25

A universal problem of the impact of behaviour of less experienced young drivers on the rate of road accidents referring to the Russian Federation in comparison to other countries. In the Russian Federation, in recent years, there has been a decrease in the total number of road accidents and in the number of deaths in them. This speaks of the effective preventive work of the traffic police and other related services, but at the same time, a fairly large number of car accidents persists. One problem is the high incidence of accidents among inexperienced young drivers. According to research conducted in different countries, the likelihood of road accidents is especially high during the first year after obtaining a driver’s license. The overwhelming majority of drivers responsible for road accidents with less than six months of driving experience belong to the age category of 18–25 years. One of the main reasons for the increased likelihood of road accidents is their excessive risk inclination. It is obvious that risky driving is common in young people, which also affects the operation of the car. Risk inclination is directly related to the number of errors made, which significantly increases the likelihood of an accident. Objective of the work was to assess the risk tolerance among drivers aged 18–25 years. Research methods comprise a survey of young people of the indicated age and the analysis of the results obtained. The figures obtained during the survey indicate that the majority of respondents (82 %) have a «mean level of risk tolerance». But there are also quite a few «risky drivers» (15 %). Moreover, these 15 % are in the youngest age group from 18 to 21 years old. Based on the results of the work, it is proposed: during training at a driving school, the future driver should receive not only theoretical knowledge and practical driving lessons, but also undergo a psychological analysis to determine his fitness to participate in road traffic; introduce certain restrictions «for young and novice drivers» into the Road Traffic Regulations. It is necessary to limit the permitted power of the car and the permissible speed (adoption of a multiplying coefficient for fines for speeding), prohibit the use of the car in the dark and in difficult road conditions, as well as passenger transportation.


INTRODUCTION
The level of motorisation in Russia is increasing every year . If in 2016 the number of registered passenger cars owned by citizens in the Russian Federation was 43 million units, then as of January 1, 2021, this figure has increased to about 45 million, which is about 76 % of the total number of registered vehicles . Commercial cars account for 7,1 % of the total volume, the trucks account for about 6,4 %, and about 0,7 % of the Russian fleet belong to buses 1 . The problem of a large number of accidents on Russian roads is still relevant . Although over the past few years, there was a clear decrease in the number of accidents and deaths in them, which indicates the competent preventive work of the traffic police and other services [1, p . 52] . The mortality rate in road traffic accidents in the Russian Federation is 11,5 cases per 100 thousand of the population 2 . In the safest countries in terms of road safety in Europe (Great Britain, the Netherlands, Switzerland), this figure is about three cases per 100 thousand population [2, p . 4] .
At the same time, in recent years, the number of young and inexperienced drivers in the age group from 18 to 25 has been growing . They often become the culprits of road accidents . In 2020, such drivers committed 17753 accidents 3 (Pic . 1) .
Studies that are regularly conducted in developed countries confirm that the risk of an accident during the first year after obtaining a driver's license is especially high [3, p . 89] . According to these studies, it is possible to identify factors that clearly increase this risk: driving style and technical c o n d i t i o n o f t h e c a r ; p s y c h o l o g i c a l characteristics (for example, thirst for thrills and too high self-confidence); increased (in comparison with older people) influence of alcohol [3] . Overspeeding or mismatching the speed limit of the overall speed of the traffic flow [3] is the most common violation among inexperienced drivers . Also, the cause of serious accidents for such drivers is «driving in the dark» [3] .
The overwhelming majority of those responsible for accidents with up to six months of driving experience belong to the youngest category 3 . For example, in the city of Volzhsky, Volgograd region (population about 324 thousand), from 2013 to 2019 the share of road accidents committed by inexperienced young drivers varied from 15 to 37 % (Pic . 2) . According to foreign studies, young drivers become victims of accidents more often than older drivers [4] .
Road accidents fatality is one of the most common causes of death among young people . Controlling a complex mechanism like a car is not an easy task . And the car itself is known to be dangerous . Therefore, every person who decides to get behind the wheel must understand that he is responsible not only for himself, but also for those around him . The irreparable consequences of accidents in which young and inexperienced drivers are to blame, and their number, have induced researchers to pay attention to the factors leading to such road accidents .
As a result of such studies, conducted, for example, in New Zealand, several factors have been identified that increase the risk of death from road traffic accidents: deliberate speeding; non-use of passenger restraints; alcohol consumption . One of the main reasons is the increased risk appetite of young drivers [5] . The propensity to take risks depends «on age and can significantly affect the operating conditions of the vehicle» [5] . Risky driving is directly related to the number of errors made, which, of course, significantly increases the likelihood of an accident . This behaviour is «common» among young drivers [6] . The degree of high risk appetite is due to youth and inexperience .
Besides, for young drivers, the level of risk has an exponential relationship with the number of passengers . «Drivers aged 18-25 show a particular disregard for the rules, trying to realise their thirst for «thrills» and self-confidence» [3, p . 89; 7] . «Young people can be more risky than adults . They are more susceptible to the influence of their peers who are equally inclined to risk» [8; 9] . Although young drivers themselves deny that «peers affect traffic safety» [8; 9], the researchers noted that they provided «hidden social  That is why, since the 80s of the last century, in many countries there has been a «stage-by-stage admission of persons to drive a vehicle» [3] . For example, such rules have long been in force in Canada and the United States, which provide for gradual access to obtaining a full-fledged driver's license for novice drivers who drive cars and two-wheeled vehicles . Such restrictions were introduced to reduce the very likelihood of an accident (to which beginners, inexperienced drivers are exposed [3; 12]) due to the period of a sort of internship, during which a novice driver undergoes a special practical driving course under the guidance of a mentor, an instructor . The system might be called the «period of internship with the award of the right to drive under the guidance of a mentor» [3; 12-15] . Upon completion of the internship, the future driver receives a temporary license, which provides for certain restrictions on driving without a mentor . Typically, these restrictions include «a ban on driving at night, a restriction on the number of passengers who can be in the car, and a ban on driving after drinking any amount of alcohol, even if the rules stipulate an acceptable level of alcohol in the blood or breath air» . As young drivers acquire the necessary experience and upon reaching the established age, all these restrictions are removed, and they receive a full-fledged certificate . The conditions for passing these three stages of obtaining a driver's license -student, temporary and standard -differ in different countries, but everywhere they are the basis for creating a favourable environment while novice drivers receive the necessary experience . The above measures have long been proven effective . Studies in Canada, New Zealand and the United States have shown that the number of accidents by novice drivers decreased by 9-43 % . Since an increased level of risk of accidents among novice drivers is observed in all countries, the system of phased obtaining of a standard driver 's license can significantly reduce this risk [3, p . 128; 12-15] .

Pic. 1. Distribution of drivers responsible for road accidents per age group over the past six years in the Russian Federation (compiled by the author based on 3 ).
The objective of the work was to determine the percentage of «risk-inclined drivers» [16; 17] in the age group from 18 to 25 years old .

RESULTS
The respondents were asked to answer the following questions: 1 . Would you exceed the set speed to quickly provide the necessary medical assistance to a seriously ill person? 2 . Would you agree to participate in a dangerous and long expedition for the sake of good money?
3 . Would you stand in the way of an escaping dangerous burglar?
4 . Could you ride on the footboard of a freight wagon at speed over 100 km/h? 5 . Can you normally work the next day after a sleepless night? TRANSPORTATION, 2021, Vol. 19, Iss. 3 (94), pp. 238-244 Popov, Alexander V. Study on Risk Tolerance of Passenger Car Drivers Aged 18-25

Pic. 2. The number of accidents where drivers of 0-5 years of experience became the culprits, in the city of Volzhsky (compiled by the author).
Road accidents fatality is one of the most common causes of death among young people. Controlling a complex mechanism like a car is not an easy task. And  23 . Could you, following instruction of the chief, take up the high-voltage wire, if he assured that the wire is de-energised? 24 . After some preliminary explanations, could you fly the helicopter? 25 . Could you, having tickets on hand, but without money and food, go from Moscow to Khabarovsk? 4 The test includes the following gradation: «too careful, mean, risk-averse» . The majority of survey participants (82 %) showed a mean level of «risk appetite», but the number of drivers with a «high risk appetite» is quite large (15 %) (Pic . 3) . Moreover, all 15 % of those «inclined to risk» belong to the youngest group from 18 to 21 years old [18] .
It will be interesting to consider the distribution of answers to each of the questions offered to drivers . According to the diagram (Pic . 4), the distribution of answers is fairly even, in 15 out of 25 questions the 4 Methodology for diagnosing the degree of risk readiness by Schubert . [Electronic resource]: https://psylist .net/ praktikum/38 .htm . Last accessed 12 .03 .2021 . TRANSPORTATION, 2021, Vol. 19, Iss. 3 (94)

Pic. 3. General results of the study of risk inclination among drivers aged 18-25 years (compiled by the author).
It will be interesting to consider the distribution of answers to each of the questions offered to drivers. According to the diagram (Pic. 4), the distribution of answers is fairly even, in 15 out of 25 questions the share of answers «More likely no than yes» and «Complete disagreement» does not exceed 40 %.

Pic. 4. Distribution of answers to the test questions (compiled by the author).
Thus, the data obtained indicate that the number of young drivers inclined to is quite large (15 %). Risky driving, along with «the widespread among young ple idea of their superiority in performance and reaction speed, knowledge of the

Pic. 4. Distribution of answers to the test questions (compiled by the author).
«Safe and High-Quality Highways», the death rate in road accidents by 2024 should be 8,4 per 100 thousand of the population, and by 2030 -4 per 100 thousand of the population» 5 . For the fastest achievement of the established indicators, considering the research results presented in the work, the following measures might be proposed: 1 . To adopt practices of analysing the psychological qualities of a student at a driving school to determine his fitness to participate in road traffic . Based on the results of such an analysis, it will be possible to inform the future driver about his potentially dangerous qualities and suggest possible options for their containment and control .
2 . To secure in the Traffic Regulations some restrictions on driving a car for inexperienced and young drivers . It is necessary to set a limitation on the power of the car and the permissible speed of movement, by introducing a multiplying coefficient for fines for speeding; a ban on passenger transportation before the expiration of a certain period of driving; driving in the dark, in difficult road conditions .