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Published on: January 30, 2019
Working Memory Development and Motor Vehicle Crashes in Young Drivers
Elizabeth A Walshe1,2, Flaura K Winston1,2, Laura M Betancourt2
1The Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
A slower working memory (WM) growth trajectory is linked to increased crash risk in teen drivers. Early WM assessment could identify at-risk adolescents for targeted driving interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Traffic Safety
Background:
- Adolescent drivers exhibit the highest motor vehicle crash rates, with risk inversely related to age.
- Working memory (WM), vital for hazard awareness, develops throughout adolescence, showing individual variability.
- This variability suggests WM capacity and growth trajectory are potential factors in crash risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the developmental trajectory of working memory and motor vehicle crashes in adolescent drivers.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal cohort study followed 118 youths from ages 11-13 to 18-20.
- Working memory was assessed annually, with crash data collected via follow-up survey.
- Latent growth curve modeling analyzed the relationship between WM development (intercept and slope) and crash occurrence.
Main Results:
- A slower linear growth trajectory of WM was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of reporting a crash (P=.02).
- Reckless driving behavior also correlated with crash involvement (P=.03).
- Variability in the baseline WM (intercept) was not significantly linked to crashes (P=.72).
Conclusions:
- Slower working memory development trajectories are associated with increased crash risk among young drivers.
- Routine WM assessment during adolescence may identify individuals needing interventions for safe driving.
- Targeted interventions addressing WM-related deficits could mitigate crash risk in teen drivers.
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