Survey identifies reasons for stunt driving by youths

Young men engage in stunt driving and show off their driving skills to celebrate an occasion, as a means to fight boredom and  to satisfy their urge for adventure, a study has found. Boys begin to engage in stunt driving quite early,  some of them by the age of 12,  a field study conducted by Social Rehabilitation Centre (Al-Aween) in collaboration with the Traffic Department revealed yesterday . “Several of those who have practised such risky driving began it at the age of 12 and their number increases with age. However, the number of them drops as they reach the legal age for obtaining a driving licence, which is 18 years .” The study said most of the young men engaged in such risky behaviour to fight boredom or for adventure or as a way of expressing excitement. “Young people go for stunt driving when they are either very disappointed or very happy. They want to vent their anger or to celebrate their happiness. Stunt driving is generally practised in the presence of an encouraging audience, among peers, or after watching action movies.” According to the researchers, young Qatari men are more attracted to such risky shows (19.6 %)  compared to  non-Qataris  (6.4% ). The study was conducted on a sample of 1,000 young people, aged 14- 30 years, 56.8% of them Qataris and 42.4% expatriates. The study’s result was released yesterday at an open forum which discussed  the factors that lead young people to practice reckless driving and ways to discourage it. Al-Aween chairperson   Dr Kaltham Ali al-Ghanim, the lead researcher of the study, pointed out that the phenomenon was observed more during national and sports occasions and school holidays. “Using a vehicle in this fashion has become a sort of adventure and as well as a source for self-assertion.” The most common areas where young people practice stunt driving are the Sealine beach ( 22.7% ) and the sand dunes. Most young people indicated that they preferred four-wheel drives  because of their power and speed. It was found that young Qataris  were more subject to meet with road accidents than their expatriate peers. “In some cases parents cover up for their sons to spare them the legal consequences in case they are too young. Unmarried men are more inclined to reckless driving and show off with their vehicles (82.6%).” Traffic Department director Brigadier Mohamed Saad al-Kharji observed that drivers’ attempt to show off their “ skills” was the reason behind various traffic violations. He said the less educated drivers committed more traffic violations. This was the first time the Traffic Department took  part in such a study. “The findings and recommendations will be  communicated to traffic policemen for maximising the benefits through their various applications,” al-Kharji said.  He advised parents to monitor closely their children’s  use of vehicles . National Committee for Traffic Safety secretary-general Brigadier Mohamed Abdullah al- Maliki and Al-Aween director general Rashid al-Nuaimi took part in the deliberations. The forum recommended that young people should be encouraged to spend their spare time constructively and stressed the importance of spreading awareness about the risks involved in reckless usage of vehicles. “Also parents should not allow their children to drive cars before the designated legal age.”