Thomas Brown, Ph.D., a researcher and the director of the Douglas Institute CIHR Transdisciplinary Team into Driving While Impaired, discusses his study on the human factors responsible for road accidents in Issue 21 of electronic journal International Innovation.

After having decreased in the past two decades, road accidents have remained stable in Canada in recent years. This is because a high number of collisions are caused by repeat offenders who drive while impaired—by alcohol, drugs or sleep deprivation—particularly young drivers. The research team led by Dr. Brown is working to identify the neuropsychological characteristics of these individuals in order to implement policies that are more reflective of reality and that will help prevent accidents.

Already, the researchers have learned that recidivists tend to be resistant to change. They find it difficult to alter ingrained behaviours, resist the lure of easy gain, or learn from their errors. In 2012, these discoveries enabled the researchers to provide input into a Quebec regulation on the assessment of at-risk drivers immediately following their arrest.

To learn more about the study by Dr. Brown, please click on the link below to view the entire interview published in International Innovation (pg. 64-66).