Abstract
A number of variables have been implicated as predictors of actual risky driving behaviors. However, due to differing methodologies, the literature shows few consistent findings. The current study is an attempt to establish a more complete understanding of the relationship between risk related characteristics and actual risktaking decisions. It was predicted that individuals who had a greater propensity for taking risks would also be more prone to making risky decisions in a simulated driving task.
Sixty subjects (30 male, 30 female) were selected based on their Kogan and Wallach Choice Dilemma risktaking scores (15 high and 15 low risktakers in each gender group). Subjects participated in two 1 1/2 hour experimental sessions. Session one was a video tape risk choice session and session two, a battery of demographic, driving and risktaking characteristic questionnaires were given.
The most significant finding in this study involved the misuse of speed and distance in making turn decisions. All subjects adopted a safer criterion than the normative model for left turn gap distances, but for right turn merging gaps high risktaking subjects perceived significantly more gaps as safe than did low risktaking subjects. Further, as speed increased from 30mph to 55mph all subjects believed more gaps to be safe for right turn merging. This miscalculation could result in a rear end accident.
Most demographic, driver and risktaking measures failed to correlated significantly with risky decision making. Only the Choice Dilemma and the Pelz-Schuman Impulsivity questionnaire correlated with each other and the risky driver decisions.
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