Validity of the C-RDS Self-Reported Risky Driving Measure

This study examined the reliability and validity of the Checkpoints Risky Driving Scale (C-RDS) in relation to the Dula Dangerous Driving Index (DDDI) and an objective measure of risky driving. Naturalistic and survey data were collected over an 18-month period from 42 newly-licensed teenage drivers. Kinematic Risky Driving was operationally defined as the rate of elevated gravitational-force events per 100 miles obtained from accelerometers and global positioning systems. Two self-report measures of risky driving, the C-RDS and the DDDI, were assessed at 6-months, 12-months, and 18-months after licensure. Reliability was examined for each measure with correlations and autoregressive models over three time points. Validity was assessed by correlations between the measures and cross-lagged autoregressive models of the longitudinal association of self-reported measures with Kinematic Risky Driving and vice versa. Both the C-RDS and DDDI measures demonstrated substantial stability over time and were highly correlated with each other. The C-RDS measure was significantly associated with Kinematic Risky Driving. The findings provide evidence for the reliability and validity of C-RDS.