Risky Driving Behavior Relating to Accident Involvement: Investigating Some Identified Factors in An Iranian Sample

Abstract

Iran has one of the highest rates of road traffic injury (RTI) in the world. Males suffer RTI 4 times more likely as compared with females. There is a peak for people aged 21-30 years for RTI. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between the identified risk factors (age, gender) in accident involvement and different types of aberrant driving behavior, considering the intervening variables of educational level, experience, the exposure rate, self-assessment of driving skill. Three hundred and sixty drivers participated in the study and filled the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) and reporting their relevant demographic features. The Principal Component Analysis of DBQ revealed four factors, namely, ordinary violations, errors, lapses and aggressive violations. Multiple linear regressions indicated that gender (male), lower experience (young ones) and a higher exposure rate predicted ordinary violations of traffic rules. Also, self-report competent drivers made more violation of traffic rules, and self-report incompetent drivers made more driving errors and lapses. Young novice drivers made more driving errors compared to experienced ones. All the four factors of DBQ, alongside the self-report driving incompetence, a higher exposure rate and gender (female) could significantly predict accident involvement. Results indicated that all groups exhibit, in one way or another, risky driving behavior relating to accident involvement. However, young novice drivers are the most at risk group. Therefore, a multifaceted intervention program targeting each group (with young novice group as the priority) in an appropriate way should be developed.