Hoon driving: predicting willingness to be involved from social learning and deterrence perspectives

Hooning, or the use of vehicles in an antisocial, ‘loutish’ and dangerous manner has received recent attention in regards to road safety. This study used a web-based survey of over 700 predominantly young, university students to detail the extent of involvement in hooning, and the relative ability of Social Learning and Deterrence theories to account for the behaviour. While both Deterrence (DT) and Social Learning Theory (SLT) were significant predictors of hooning individually, SLT predicted the behaviour over and above DT. Significant components of DT included Perceived Severity of Punishment and Punishment Avoidance, while the strongest SLT predictors were Attitudes to the behaviour and Rewards gained from taking part in the behaviour. The results highlight the particular social nature of hooning behaviour, where groups of mainly young drivers gather with a focal point of the vehicles. The key element that enforcement has in deterring becoming involved is also noted. Future possible directions in intervention development are presented based on these findings.