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Personality, risk aversion and speeding: an empirical investigation
Stephen P Greaves1, Adrian B Ellison
1Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. stephen.greaves@sydney.edu.au
Accident; Analysis and Prevention
|June 11, 2011
Summary
Driver personality traits show weak links to actual speeding behavior. Many drivers inaccurately estimate their speeding, with some consistently exceeding limits, highlighting complex driving behavior patterns.
Area of Science:
- Traffic Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Road Safety Research
Background:
- Personality traits and risk aversion are theorized to influence driving behavior, particularly speeding.
- Self-reported driving behavior often lacks accuracy, necessitating objective measurement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between driver personality, risk aversion, and actual speeding behavior.
- To compare self-reported speeding with empirically measured speeding data.
Main Methods:
- 133 drivers in Sydney completed personality and risk aversion surveys.
- Global Positioning System (GPS) devices were used to collect objective speeding data over several weeks.
- Empirical speeding measures were derived from GPS data for analysis.
Main Results:
- Drivers often inaccurately estimate their speeding propensity (under- or over-estimation).
- Significant variation in speeding behavior was observed, with a subset of drivers frequently exceeding speed limits.
- Weak correlations were found between personality/risk aversion measures and actual speeding behavior.
- Different personality traits may influence driving behavior differently across various situations.
Conclusions:
- Objective GPS data reveals discrepancies in self-perceived speeding habits.
- Personality traits have a limited direct predictive power on actual speeding behavior.
- Further research is needed to understand situational influences on personality-driven driving behaviors.
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