Lifestyle traits as predictors of driving behaviour in urban areas of Greece

Chliaoutakis J., Koukouli S., Lajunen T., Tzamalouka G.

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART F-TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR, vol.8, no.6, pp.413-428, 2005 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 8 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.trf.2005.05.003
  • Journal Name: TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART F-TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.413-428
  • Keywords: driving behaviour questionnaire, lifestyle, violations, errors, religiosity, Greece, YOUNG DRIVERS, TRAFFIC ACCIDENT, VIOLATIONS, HEALTH, ERRORS, PERSONALITY, INVOLVEMENT, DIMENSIONS, CRASHES, ROADS
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine possible links between different lifestyle patterns and aberrant driver's behaviour. Personal interviews were conducted in a representative sample of 324 adults (18-65), all residents of Crete. Aberrant driver's behaviour was assessed by the 'driver behaviour questionnaire' (DBQ). Also to measure different dimensions of lifestyle, first, a 26-items questionnaire was used, and second, three questions measuring 'driving without destination', related in previous findings with road accident risk. Four lifestyle patterns: 'religion/tradition', 'driving aimlessly', 'sports' and 'culture' are significant predictors of ordinary violations. 'Driving without destination' has a significant effect all three DBQ factors (b positive). 'Religion/tradition' was related only to ordinary violations (b negative) and 'sports' has a positive impact on ordinary violations and a negative impact on 'errors'. Two lifestyle factors are related to more dangerous driving: 'Driving without destination' and/or pursuing a more 'athletic way of living'. Road safety campaigns must teach the first group to use other hobbles and activities to vent their feelings and the second, not to overestimate their abilities, while driving. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.