The impact of four-wheel drive on risky driver behaviours and road traffic accidents

BENER A., Al Maadid M. G. A., ÖZKAN T., Al-Bast D. A. E., Diyab K. N., Lajunen T.

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART F-TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR, vol.11, no.5, pp.324-333, 2008 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 11 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.trf.2008.02.001
  • Journal Name: TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART F-TRAFFIC PSYCHOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.324-333
  • Keywords: four-wheel drive, speed, seat-belt usage, small car, Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ), traffic offences and accidents, Qatar, PASSENGER CARS, VIOLATIONS, VEHICLES, INVOLVEMENT, ERRORS, COLLISIONS
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of four-wheel drive oil risky driver behaviours and road traffic accidents in the State of Qatar. A thousand and five hundred drivers were approached and a thousand and one hundred and ten of these drivers (263 female and 847 male) agreed to participate the study. Participants completed a questionnaire including Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ), items related to socio-demographic information, driving experience, adherence to traffic laws (including speed limits and wearing seat belt), and drivers' driving records. The results showed that four-wheel drivers committed more violations, errors, and lapses than small car users. Lapses were associated with accident involvement among four-wheel drivers whereas both errors and aggression-speeding were related to accident involvement among small car users. Four-wheel drivers also reported lower seat belt usage and higher speeding its compared to small car users. The present study revealed that four-wheel drivers were involved in nearly 40.3% of the road traffic accidents. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.