Based on sociobehavioral data obtained in France through interviews and accident reports, this study focused on the factors which influence behavior in the collective, social driving context, the extent to which these factors result in accidents, and ways in which accidents could be prevented. The results show that sociocultural factors which define lifestyle also affect drivers' usual behavior patterns and, to a certain degree, their accident involvement. For high-risk groups, there is a strong correlation between demographic and sociocultural variables (young men, daily consumption of alcohol, varied mobility, frequent nighttime driving) and habitual driving behavior marked by a tendency to commit various driving-related violations and to be intolerant toward other drivers in situations in which their speed or driving space may be compromised. To prevent accidents drivers must be provided with new motivation to abide by the law and respect safety values in general, and to adopt law-abiding driving behavior in particular. 4 tables, 6 figures, 37 references, and 2 appendixes