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DO WE REALLY DRIVE AS WE LIVE? THE ROLE OF PERSONALITY FACTORS IN ROAD CRASHES
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References
1993
Year
Substance UseSafety SciencePersonality TraitsPsychologyDriver BehaviorTransport AccidentHealth SciencesRoad SafetyBehavioral SciencesPsychiatryRoad Traffic SafetyDriver Crash InvolvementDriver PerformanceSocial CognitionSubstance AbusePersonality PsychologyBroad DimensionsAddictionSocial BehaviorWe LiveMedicine
This paper examines the role of personality as one factor that contributes to individual differences in driving behaviors and the risk of motor vehicle crash involvement. The paper also discusses the influence of alcohol on the expression of personality traits. From an extensive body of literature 6 broad dimensions of personality were found to be most strongly and consistently related to driver behavior and/or crash involvement - thrill-seeking, impulsivenesss, hostility/aggression, emotional instability, depression, and locus of control. These personality factors have been shown to account for as much as 10 to 20% of the variance in driver crash involvement and up to 35% of the variance in measures of risky driving behavior. The literature also suggests that personality may interact with expectancies about the effects of alcohol to enhance aggressive and thrill-seeking behavior. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for traffic safety.