OA20236. Juvenile traffic-related offenses: Data from a counseling program in Crete, Greece

Abstract Background Traffic law violations represent one of the most common types of legal infractions committed by individuals under the age of 18 in Greece. Young traffic law offenders in Crete are characterized by a low level of traffic safety awareness and culture. Methods The present study explores the attitudes and behaviors of juvenile traffic law offenders in the Heraklion region of Crete, who participated in a counseling intervention program conducted by the LaHeRS university lab. Between October 2024 and March 2025, a structured questionnaire was administered to 115 juvenile offenders who took part in the program. Results The majority of participants were male (98.3%), with an average age of 19.2 years (range: 15–23, SD = 1.4) at the time of program participation. Most resided in urban areas (53.9%), and had a moderate level of education. The average age at the time of their first offense, specifically for unlicensed driving, was 15.9 years (range: 11–18, SD = 1.4). Although the majority of participants expressed positive attitudes toward road safety, their self-reported behaviors contradicted these stated beliefs. While 72.2% supported that respecting speed limits is important, 41.7% admitted to frequently exceeding the speed limit and 40.8% reported overtaking on two-lane roads. 13.1% admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol, 30.4% to using a mobile phone while driving, and only 54.8% reported always wearing a seatbelt in the back seat, despite a general recognition of the risks associated with these behaviors. Conclusions There is a gap between the positive attitudes and the high-risk behaviors of juvenile traffic law offenders in Crete, underscoring the need for targeted behavioral interventions. Key messages • Juvenile traffic law offenders in Crete represent a high-risk group with limited traffic safety awareness. • Enhancing road safety culture among young people and novice drivers is essential. Topic Risk behaviors, juvenile, traffic law violators.