Understanding the psychological precursors of young drivers' willingness to speed and text while driving. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Preece, Carissa; Watson, Angela; Kaye, Sherrie-Anne; Fleiter, Judy
• Is Part Of: Accident analysis and prevention. Volume 117(2018)
• Page Start: 196
• Page End: 204
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Prototype willingness model -- Texting -- Mobile phone use -- Speeding -- Young drivers; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accident Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; 363.106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2018.04.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-4575

Abstract

Highlights: Applied Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) to examine texting and speeding behaviour. Assessed willingness for young drivers to text while driving and stopped and high and low levels of speeding. General optimism bias was included in addition to the PWM factors. PWM explained variance in willingness to engage in texting and speeding. General optimism bias shown to have a complex influence on texting and speeding. Abstract: This study applied the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) to investigate the factors that may predict young drivers' (non-intentional) willingness to text while driving, text while stopped, and engage in high and low levels of speeding. In addition, the study sought to assess whether general optimism bias would predict young drivers' willingness to text and speed over and above the PWM. Licenced drivers ( N = 183) aged 17–25 years ( M = 19.84, SD = 2.30) in Queensland, Australia completed an online survey. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that the PWM was effective in explaining the variance in willingness to perform all four illegal driving behaviours. Particularly, young drivers who possessed favourable attitudes and a positive prototype perception towards these behaviours were more willing to engage in texting and speeding. In contrast to the study's predictions, optimistically biased beliefs decreased young drivers' willingness to text while stopped and engage in high and low levels of speeding. The findings of the study may help inform policy and educational campaigns to better target risky driving behaviours by considering the influence of attitudes, prototypes and the non-intentional pathway that may lead to engagement in texting while driving and stopped and engagement in high and low levels of speeding.