Understanding the psychological mechanisms behind driver behaviors is critical to road safety. Drivers’ level of perceived risk and attribution of road traffic crashes may affect such behaviors. The current study investigated the role of traffic locus of control on the relationship between risk perception and driver behaviors and speed preferences. The sample consisted of 334 drivers (age M = 26.47, SD = 7.01). Moderation analysis showed significant moderating effects of all four dimensions of traffic locus of control on errors (i.e., self, others, vehicle and environment, and fate), all three dimensions of external traffic locus of control (i.e., others, vehicle and environment, and fate) on ordinary violations, and self and other drivers on intercity speed preference. The highest number of ordinary violations was reported for drivers with average and low levels of external traffic locus of control focus when their risk perception was also low. The results provide evidence for the interaction effects between risk perception and locus of control while determining driver behaviors. The findings are discussed in light of the related literature.
NanganaL. S.MongaB.NgatuN. R.MbelambelaE. P.MbutshuL. H.MalongaK. F.Frequency, Causes, and Human Impact of Motor Vehicle Related Road Traffic Accident (RTA) in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, Vol. 21, No. 5, 2016, pp. 350–355. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-016-0536-0
3.
TreatJ. R.TumbasN. S.McDonaldS. T.ShinarD.HumeR. D.MayerR. E.StansiferR. L.CastellanN. J.Tri-Level Study of the Causes of Traffic Accidents: Executive Summary. Institute for Research in Public Safety, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, 1979.
4.
ZhangT.ChanA. H.ZhangW.Dimensions of Driving Anger and Their Relationships with Aberrant Driving. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 81, 2015, pp. 124–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2015.05.005
5.
ElanderJ.WestR.FrenchD.Behavioral Correlates of Individual Differences in Road-Traffic Crash Risk: An Examination Method and Findings. Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 113, No. 2, 1993, pp. 279–294. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.113.2.279
6.
ÖzkanT.LajunenT.Person and Environment: Traffic Culture. In Handbook of Traffic Psychology (PorterB. E., ed.), Elsevier, San Diego, CA, 2011, pp. 179–192.
7.
de WinterJ. C.DodouD.The Driver Behaviour Questionnaire as a Predictor of Accidents: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 41, No. 6, 2010, pp. 463–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2010.10.007
8.
ReasonJ. T.MansteadA.StradlingS. G.BaxterJ.CampbellK.Errors and Violations on the Road – A Real Distinction. Ergonomics, Vol. 33, No. 10/11, 1990, pp. 1315–1333. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139008925335
9.
af WåhlbergA. E.Speed Choice Versus Celeration Behavior as Traffic Accident Predictor. Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 37, No. 1, 2006, pp. 43–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2005.10.017
10.
AnastasopoulosP. C.ManneringF. L.The Effect of Speed Limits on Drivers’ Choice of Speed: A Random Parameters Seemingly Unrelated Equations Approach. Analytic Methods in Accident Research, Vol. 10, 2016, pp. 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amar.2016.03.001
11.
QaidH.WidyantiA.SalmaS. A.TrapsilawatiF.WijayantoT.SyafitriU. D.ChamidahN.Speed Choice and Speeding Behavior on Indonesian Highways: Extending the Theory of Planned Behavior. IATSS Research, Vol. 46, No. 2, 2022, pp. 193–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iatssr.2021.11.013
12.
ConnerM.LawtonR.ParkerD.ChorltonK.MansteadA. S.StradlingS.Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour to the Prediction of Objectively Assessed Breaking of Posted Speed Limits. British Journal of Psychology, Vol. 98, No. 3, 2007, pp. 429–453. https://doi.org/10.1348/000712606X133597
13.
HaglundM.ÅbergL.Speed Choice in Relation to Speed Limit and Influences from Other Drivers. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 3, No. 1, 2000, pp. 39–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1369-8478(00)00014-0
14.
ÖzkanT.LajunenT.A New Addition to DBQ: Positive Driver Behaviours Scale. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 8, No. 5, 2005, pp. 355–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2005.04.018
15.
LajunenT.Personality Factors, Driving Style, and Traffic Safety. Doctoral thesis. University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 1997.
16.
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
RamT.ChandK.Effect of Drivers’ Risk Perception and Perception of Driving Tasks on Road Safety Attitude. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 42, 2016, pp. 162–176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2016.07.012
19.
BudakN.Öztürkİ.AslanM.ÖzB.How Drivers’ Risk Perception Changes While Driving on Familiar and Unfamiliar Roads: A Comparison of Female and Male Drivers. Trafik ve Ulaşım Araştırmaları Dergisi, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2021, pp. 39–48. https://doi.org/10.38002/tuad.866934
20.
BrownI. D.GroegerJ. A.Risk Perception and Decision Taking During the Transition Between Novice and Experienced Driver Status. Ergonomics, Vol. 31, No. 4, 1988, pp. 585–597. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140138808966701
21.
BouaM.KouabenanD. R.BelhajA.Road Safety Behaviors: Role of Control Beliefs and Risk Perception. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 91, 2022, pp. 45–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2022.09.021
22.
HavârneanuG. M.HavârneanuC. E.When Norms Turn Perverse: Contextual Irrationality vs. Rational Traffic Violations. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 15, No. 2, 2012, pp. 144–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2011.12.003
23.
HarbeckE. L.GlendonA. I.Driver Prototypes and Behavioral Willingness: Young Driver Risk Perception and Reported Engagement in Risky Driving. Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 66, 2018, pp. 195–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2018.07.009
24.
NgueutsaR.KouabenanD.Fatalistic Beliefs, Risk Perception and Traffic Safe Behaviors. European Review of Applied Psychology, Vol. 67, No. 6, 2017, pp. 307–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erap.2017.10.001
25.
ŞimşekoğluÖ.NordfjærnT.ZavarehM. F.HezavehA. M.MamdoohiA. R.RundmoT.Risk Perceptions, Fatalism and Driver Behaviors in Turkey and Iran. Safety Science, Vol. 59, 2013, pp. 187–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2013.05.014
26.
KummenejeA. M.RundmoT.Attitudes, Risk Perception and Risk-Taking Behaviour Among Regular Cyclists in Norway. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 69, 2020, pp. 135–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2020.01.007
27.
DinhD. D.VũN. H.McIlroyR. C.PlantK. A.StantonN. A.Effect of Attitudes Towards Traffic Safety and Risk Perceptions on Pedestrian Behaviours in Vietnam. IATSS Research, Vol. 44, No. 3, 2020, pp. 238–247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iatssr.2020.01.002
28.
Nguyen-PhuocD. Q.Oviedo-TrespalaciosO.SuD. N.De GruyterC.NguyenT.Mobile Phone Use Among Car Drivers and Motorcycle Riders: The Effect of Problematic Mobile Phone Use, Attitudes, Beliefs and Perceived Risk. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 143, 2020, p. 105592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2020.105592
29.
EdwardsJ. B.Speed Adjustment of Motorway Commuter Traffic to Inclement Weather. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 2, No. 1, 1999, pp. 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1369-8478(99)00003-0
30.
LiZ.ManS. S.ChanA. H.ZhuJ.Integration of Theory of Planned Behavior, Sensation Seeking, and Risk Perception to Explain the Risky Driving Behavior of Truck Drivers. Sustainability, Vol. 13, No. 9, 2021, p. 5214. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095214
31.
WangS.ZhangY.SunL.Effects of Personality Traits on Bus Drivers’ Prosocial and Aggressive Behaviours: The Moderated Mediating Role of Risk Perception and Gender. PLoS One, Vol. 18, No. 2, 2023, p. e0281473. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281473
32.
RotterJ. B.Generalized Expectancies for Internal Versus External Control of Reinforcement. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, Vol. 80, No. 1, 1966, pp. 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0092976
33.
MontagI.ComreyA. L.Internality and Externality as Correlates of Involvement in Fatal Driving Accidents. Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 72, No. 3, 1987, pp. 339–343. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.72.3.339
34.
ÖzkanT.LajunenT.Multidimensional Traffic Locus of Control Scale (TLOC): Factor Structure and Relationship to Risky Driving. Personality and Individual Differences, Vol. 38, 2005, pp. 533–545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2004.05.007
35.
Öztürkİ.Preferred Level of Vehicle Automation in Turkey and Sweden: In Association with Traffic Climate, Traffic Locus of Control, and Driving Skills. Unpublished doctoral thesis. Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 2021.
36.
TotkovaZ.Interconnection Between Driving Style, Traffic Locus of Control, and Impulsivity in Bulgarian Drivers. Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2020, p. 58. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs10020058
37.
Wallen WarnerH.ÖzkanT.LajunenT.Can the Traffic Locus of Control (T-LOC) Scale Be Successfully Used to Predict Swedish Drivers’ Speeding Behaviour?Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 42, No. 4, 2010, pp. 1113–1117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2009.12.025
38.
SunL.MaY.HuaL.Adaptation and Validity of the Traffic Locus of Control Scale in Chinese Drivers. Personality and Individual Differences, Vol. 159, 2020, p. 109886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.109886
39.
MăireanC.HavârneanuG. M.PopuşoiS. A.HavârneanuC.Traffic Locus of Control Scale – Romanian Version: Psychometric Properties and Relations to the Driver’s Personality, Risk Perception, and Driving Behavior. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 45, 2017, pp. 131–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2016.12.008
40.
QuW.LuoX.HouJ.GeY.Impact of Locus of Control on Dangerous Driving Behavior and Positive Driving Behavior in China. In HCI International 2023 Posters. HCII 2023. Communications in Computer and Information Science (StephanidisC.AntonaM.NtoaS.SalvendyG., eds.), Vol. 1836, Springer, Cham, 2023, pp. 140–147.
41.
ZeyinY.LongS.GaoxiaoR.Effects of Safe Driving Climate Among Friends on Prosocial and Aggressive Driving Behaviors of Young Drivers: The Moderating Role of Traffic Locus of Control. Journal of Safety Research, Vol. 81, 2022, pp. 297–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2022.03.006
42.
CarpentierA.BrijsK.DeclercqK.BrijsT.DanielsS.WetsG.The Effect of Family Climate on Risky Driving of Young Novices: The Moderating Role of Attitude and Locus of Control. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 73, 2014, pp. 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2014.08.005
43.
GidronY.GalR.DesevilyaH. S.Internal Locus of Control Moderates the Effects of Road-Hostility on Recalled Driving Behavior. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 6, No. 2, 2003, pp. 109–116. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1369-8478(03)00009-3
44.
RosenbloomT.ShaharA.ElhararA.DaninoO.Risk Perception of Driving as a Function of Advanced Training Aimed at Recognizing and Handling Risks in Demanding Driving Situations. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 40, No. 2, 2008, pp. 697–703. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2007.09.007
45.
ErkuşU. U.Risk Perception and Driving Performance Comparisons Between Young Male Non-Professional Drivers and Taxi Drivers. Master’s thesis. Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 2017.
46.
SümerN.ÖzkanT.The Role of Driver Behavior, Skills, and Personality Traits in Traffic Accidents. Turkish Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 17, No. 50, 2002, pp. 1–22.
47.
HayesA. F.Introduction to Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Analysis: A Regression-Based Approach. The Guilford Press, New York, NY, 2020.
48.
MorrisJ. H.ShermanJ. D.MansfieldE. R.Failures to Detect Moderating Effects with Ordinary Least Squares-Moderated Multiple Regression: Some Reasons and a Remedy. Psychological Bulletin, Vol. 99, No. 2, 1986, pp. 282–288. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.2.282
49.
MăireanC.HavârneanuG. M.BarićD.HavârneanuC.Cognitive Biases, Risk Perception, and Risky Driving Behaviour. Sustainability, Vol. 14, No. 1, 2022, p. 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010077
50.
AartsL.Van SchagenI.Driving Speed and the Risk of Road Crashes: A Review. Accident Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 38, No. 2, 2006, pp. 215–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2005.07.004
51.
YılmazŞ.ArslanB.Öztürkİ.ÖzkanÖ.ÖzkanT.LajunenT.Driver Social Desirability Scale: A Turkish Adaptation and Examination in the Driving Context. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 84, 2022, pp. 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2021.11.009
52.
MüggenburgH.Beyond the Limits of Memory? The Reliability of Retrospective Data in Travel Research. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Vol. 145, 2021, pp. 302–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2021.01.010
53.
WrightK. B.Researching Internet-Based Populations: Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Survey Research, Online Questionnaire Authoring Software Packages, and Web Survey Services. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, Vol. 10, No. 3, 2005, p. JCMC1034. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2005.tb00259.x
54.
HuangJ. L.FordJ. K.Driving Locus of Control and Driving Behaviors: Inducing Change Through Driver Training. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2012, pp. 358–368. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2011.09.002
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
