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Published VersionCC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Exploring the predictors and experiences of hangover driving in young adults
Journal of Safety Research, Vol.96, pp.239-243
2026
Abstract
Aims: Driving with a hangover can have significant impacts on driving ability. It has been identified that young adults experience more frequent and severe hangover symptoms compared to older adults. Given young adults have less driving experience, this may present a concern for road safety if this group of drivers engage in hangover driving. The paper involved two studies exploring young adults’ experiences with hangover driving. Methods and Results: In Study 1, 23 young adults (ranging 18–23 years; 52% female) were interviewed. Following template analyses, two themes were identified. The first theme (awareness and strategies) identified young adults understand the impacts of hangover driving on their concentration and attention, yet the risks associated with hangover driving were rarely described. The second theme (justification) identified the reasoning young adults described for hangover driving, such as they had to get home, it was only a short drive, and the behavior is not as risky as drink driving. In Study 2, 252 young adults (ranging 18–25 years; 75% female) were surveyed. Regression results revealed being male, living in non-metropolitan locations, holding an open license, experiencing hangover symptoms yearly, and having one or more hangovers in the previous month increased the likelihood of hangover driving. Conclusions: Findings provide insight into young adults’ hangover driving, yet further understanding may be required to identify ways to discourage this behavior. Practical Applications: Findings have provided directions for further research, with the aim of identifying potential ways to prevent hangover driving among young adults.
Details
- Title
- Exploring the predictors and experiences of hangover driving in young adults
- Authors
- Michelle Nicolls (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research CollaborationLisa Buckley - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Road Safety Research Collaboration
- Publication details
- Journal of Safety Research, Vol.96, pp.239-243
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jsr.2025.12.004
- ISSN
- 1879-1247; 0022-4375
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/bync-nd/4.0/).
- Grant note
- This research was funded by the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration Grant. The Motor Accident Insurance Commission provided funding to the University of the Sunshine Coast to support the MAIC/UniSC Road Safety Research Collaboration to conduct research activities that aim to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle crashes.
- Organisation Unit
- Road Safety Research Collaboration; School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991196750502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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