Examining Drivers’ Perception of Internal and External Distracter Risk and Predictors of These Perceptions

Abstract

Although a large number of studies have investigated the effects of distracted driving, relatively few studies have examined the drivers’ perspective of distracter risk. Better understanding of this perspective should help in the important development of road safety instruction. The current study expands on previous research assessing drivers’ distracter risk perception by including a larger number of and more detailed distracters overall, as well as the inclusion of personality measures as possible correlates of distracter risk perception. Results demonstrated a wide difference in risk ratings across the 31 distracters, with internal-to-vehicle dis-tracters overall having a higher risk rating than external-to-vehicle distracters. Mental concentration required for the distracter was significantly correlated with average distracter risk, with more mental concentration corresponding to higher risk ratings in general. Individuals who rated higher on external locus of control rated higher on average external-to-vehicle distracter risk, whereas higher sensation seeking individuals rated lower on average external-to-vehicle distracter risk.

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