Dangerous driving behaviors are a public safety concern. These behaviors are heavily influenced and can be triggered by emotions. Emotions, and their resultant behaviors, are influenced by emotional intelligence (EI), defined as an individual’s ability to identify and differentiate between emotions, and make decisions based on them. The objective of this study was to determine the best EI and dangerous driving behavior measures. This exploratory study examined methods to measure EI and its possible relationship with various measures of dangerous driving behavior among 155 adult drivers in the United States with a valid driver’s license. Participants completed an online survey, which included three scales for EI assessment (TEIQue, GENOS, WLEIS) and three dangerous driving behavior scales (DDDI, DBQ, DBI), along with questions about past crashes and citations. Responses from the survey were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, linear regression, and binary logistic regression. Significant correlations were observed between all driving behaviors and the TEIQue EI scales. Notably, the TEIQue total EI and emotionality subscales emerged as the most influential predictors of dangerous driving behaviors. Participants with higher scores in total EI and emotionality engaged in fewer dangerous driving behaviors. Furthermore, the GENOS and WLEIS EI scales failed to predict dangerous driving behaviors. This study suggests that driver EI should be analyzed using the TEIQue EI scale and driving behaviors should be measured using the DDDI and DBQ scales. Moreover, promoting and improving EI could be useful in preventing dangerous driving behaviors among drivers and reducing their fatality rates on the road.
BlincoeL. J.MillerT. R.ZaloshnjaE.LawrenceB. A.The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2010. Publication DOT HS 812 013. NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, 2015.
3.
Scott-ParkerB.WatsonB.KingM. J.HydeM. K.Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale (BYNDS). Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 49, 2012, pp. 385–391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2012.02.021
4.
WengJ. X.MengQ.Effects of Environment, Vehicle and Driver Characteristics on Risky Driving Behavior at Work Zones. Safety Science, Vol. 50, No. 40, 2012, pp. 1034–1042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2011.12.005
5.
National Highway Traffic Safety Adminisrtation. Critical Reasons for Crashes Investigated in the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey. Publication DOT HS 812 506. NHTSA, U.S. Deprtment of Transportation, 2018.
6.
DulaC. S.BallardM. E.Development and Evaluation of a Measure of Dangerous, Aggressive, Negative Emotional, and Risky Driving. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2003, pp. 263–282. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2003.tb01896.x
7.
DulaC. S.GellerE. S.Risky, Aggressive, or Emotional Driving: Addressing the Need for Consistent Communication in Research. Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 34, No. 5, 2003, pp. 559–566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2003.03.004
8.
ReasonJ.MansteadA.StradlingS.BaxterJ.CampbellK.Errors and Violations on the Roads: A Real Distinction?Ergonomics, Vol. 33, No. 10–11, 1990, pp. 1315–1332. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139008925335
9.
SümerN.Personality and Behavioral Predictors of Traffic Accidents: Testing a Contextual Mediated Model. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 35, No. 6, 2003, pp. 949–964. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0001-4575(02)00103-3
10.
IversenH.RundmoT.Attitudes Towards Traffic Safety, Driving Behaviour and Accident Involvement Among the Norwegian Public. Ergonomics, Vol. 47, No. 5, 2004, pp. 555–572. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140130410001658709
11.
de WinterJ. C. F.DregerF. A.HuangW.MillerA.SoccolichS.MachianiS. G.EngstromJ.The Relationship Between the Driver Behavior Questionnaire, Sensation Seeking Scale, and Recorded Crashes: A Brief Comment on Martinussen et al. (2017) and new data from SHRP2. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 118, 2018, pp. 54–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2018.05.016
FernandesR.JobR. F. S.HatfieldJ.A Challenge to the Assumed Generalizability of Prediction and Countermeasure for Risky Driving: Different Factors Predict Different Risky Driving Behaviors. Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 38, No. 1, 2007, pp. 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2006.09.003
14.
Arnau-SabatesL.Sala-RocaJ.Jariot-GarciaM.Emotional Abilities as Predictors of Risky Driving Behavior Among a Cohort of Middle Aged Drivers. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 45, 2012, pp. 818–825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2011.07.021
15.
HayleyA. C.de RidderB.StoughC.FordT. C.DowneyL. A.Emotional Intelligence and Risky Driving Behaviour in Adults. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 49, 2017, pp. 124–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2017.06.009
16.
UnderwoodG.ChapmanP.WrightS.CrundallD.Anger While Driving. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1999, pp. 55–68.
17.
DeffenbacherJ. L.LynchR. S.OettingE. R.SwaimR. C.The Driving Anger Expression Inventory: A Measure of How People Express Their Anger on the Road. Behaviour Research and Therapy, Vol. 40, No. 6, 2002, pp. 717–737. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0005-7967(01)00063-8
18.
LajunenT.ParkerD.Are Aggressive People Aggressive Drivers? A Study of the Relationship Between Self-Reported General Aggressiveness, Driver Anger and Aggressive Driving. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 33, No. 2, 2001, pp. 243–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0001-4575(00)00039-7
19.
JamesL.NahlD.Road Rage and Aggressive Driving: Steering Clear of Highway Warfare. Prometheus Books, Amherst, NY, 2000.
20.
MeskenJ.HagenziekerM. P.RothengatterT.de WaardD.Frequency, Determinants, and Consequences of Different Drivers’ Emotions: An on-the-Road Study Using Self-Reports, (Observed) Behaviour, and Physiology. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 10, No. 6, 2007, pp. 458–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2007.05.001
21.
GratzK. L.RoemerL.Multidimensional Assessment of Emotion Regulation and Dysregulation: Development, Factor Structure, and Initial Validation of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, Vol. 26, No. 1, 2004, pp. 41–54. https://doi.org/10.1023/B:JOBA.0000007455.08539.94
22.
RobertonT.DaffernM.BucksR. S.Emotion Regulation and Aggression. Aggression and Violent Behavior, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2012, pp. 72–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2011.09.006
23.
DensonT. F.DeWallC. N.FinkelE. J.Self-Control and Aggression. Current Directions in Psychological Science, Vol. 21, No. 1, 2012, pp. 20–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721411429451
24.
MagarE. C. E.PhillipsL. H.HosieJ. A.Self-Regulation and Risk-Taking. Personality and Individual Differences, Vol. 45, No. 2, 2008, pp. 153–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2008.03.014
25.
FalahiS.GoudarziM.Comparing the Emotional Intelligence and Driving Behaviors Between the Safe and Risky Drivers of Marivan Township. Specialty Journal of Psychology and Management, Vol. 1, No. 4, 2015, pp. 60–69.
26.
SmortiM.AndreiF.TrombiniE.Trait Emotional Intelligence, Personality Traits and Social Desirability in Dangerous Driving. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 58, 2018, pp. 115–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2018.06.012
27.
O’ConnorP. J.HillA.KayaM.MartinB.The Measurement of Emotional Intelligence: A Critical Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Researchers and Practitioners. Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 10, 2019, p. 1116. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01116
28.
O’ConnorP.NguyenJ.AnglimJ.Effectively Coping With Task Stress: A Study of the Validity of the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Short Form (TEIQue–SF). Journal of Personality Assessment, Vol. 99, No. 3, 2017, pp. 304–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223891.2016.1226175
29.
PérezJ. C.PetridesK.FurnhamA.Measuring Trait Emotional Intelligence. In Emotional Intelligence: An International Handbook (SchulzeR.RobertsR. D., eds.), Hogrefe & Huber Publishers, 2005, pp. 181–201. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2005-06828-009.
30.
PalmerB. R.StoughC.HarmerR.GignacG.The Genos Emotional Intelligence Inventory: A Measure Designed Specifically for Workplace Applications. In Assessing Emotional Intelligence: Theory, Research, and Applications (ParkerJ.SaklofskeD.StoughC., eds.), Springer, Boston, MA, 2009, pp. 103–117. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1007/978-0-387-88370-0_6.
31.
WongC. S.LawK. S.The Effects of Leader and Follower Emotional Intelligence on Performance and Attitude: An Exploratory Study. Leadership Quarterly, Vol. 13, No. 3, 2002, pp. 243–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(02)00099-1
32.
GulianE.GlendonA. I.MatthewsG.DaviesD. R.DebneyL. M.The Stress of Driving – a Diary Study. Work and Stress, Vol. 4, No. 1, 1990, pp. 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/02678379008256960
33.
GulianE.MatthewsG.GlendonA. I.DaviesD. R.DebneyL. M.Dimensions of Driver Stress. Ergonomics, Vol. 32, No. 6, 1989, pp. 585–602. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140138908966134
34.
FaulF.ErdfelderE.BuchnerA.LangA.-G.Statistical Power Analyses Using G* Power 3.1: Tests for Correlation and Regression Analyses. Behavior Research Methods, Vol. 41, No. 4, 2009, pp. 1149–1160. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149
35.
CordazzoS. T. D.ScialfaC. T.BubricK.RossR. J.The Driver Behaviour Questionnaire: A North American Analysis. Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 50, 2014, pp. 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2014.05.002
36.
SullmanM. J.TaylorJ. E.Social Desirability and Self-Reported Driving Behaviours: Should We Be Worried?Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 13, No. 3, 2010, pp. 215–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2010.04.004
37.
ReimerB.D’AmbrosioL. A.CoughlinJ. F.KafrissenM. E.BiedermanJ.Using Self-Reported Data to Assess the Validity of Driving Simulation Data. Behavior Research Methods, Vol. 38, No. 2, 2006, pp. 314–324. https://doi.org/10.3758/bf03192783
