Comparative judgements of crash risk and driving ability for speeding behaviours. (December 2021)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Comparative judgements of crash risk and driving ability for speeding behaviours. (December 2021)
- Main Title:
- Comparative judgements of crash risk and driving ability for speeding behaviours
- Authors:
- Mills, Laura
Freeman, James
Truelove, Verity
Davey, Jeremy
Delhomme, Patricia - Abstract:
- Highlights: 72% of participants perceived their crash risk was less than the average same-age, same-sex driver. 74.2% of participants reported their driving ability was superior to the average same-age, same-sex driver. 16% perceived their driving ability to be better than a professional race car driver. Comparative optimism in driving ability was the most salient predictor of speeding. Negative experiences did not deter speeding behaviours. Abstract: Introduction: Preliminary research has indicated that numerous drivers perceive their risk of traffic crash to be less than other drivers, while perceiving their driving ability to be better. This phenomenon is referred to as 'comparative optimism' (CO) and may prove to inhibit the safe adoption of driving behaviors and/or dilute perceptions of negative outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate comparative judgments regarding crash risk and driving ability, and how these judgments relate to self-reported speeding. Method: There were 760 Queensland motorists comprised of 51.6% males and 48.2% females, aged 16–85 ( M = 39.60). Participants completed either a paper or online version of a survey. Judgments of crash risk and driving ability were compared to two referents: the average same-age, same-sex driver, and the average same-age, same-sex V8 supercar champion. Results: Drivers displayed greater optimism when comparing their crash risk and driving ability to the average same-age, same- sex driver (respectively,Highlights: 72% of participants perceived their crash risk was less than the average same-age, same-sex driver. 74.2% of participants reported their driving ability was superior to the average same-age, same-sex driver. 16% perceived their driving ability to be better than a professional race car driver. Comparative optimism in driving ability was the most salient predictor of speeding. Negative experiences did not deter speeding behaviours. Abstract: Introduction: Preliminary research has indicated that numerous drivers perceive their risk of traffic crash to be less than other drivers, while perceiving their driving ability to be better. This phenomenon is referred to as 'comparative optimism' (CO) and may prove to inhibit the safe adoption of driving behaviors and/or dilute perceptions of negative outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate comparative judgments regarding crash risk and driving ability, and how these judgments relate to self-reported speeding. Method: There were 760 Queensland motorists comprised of 51.6% males and 48.2% females, aged 16–85 ( M = 39.60). Participants completed either a paper or online version of a survey. Judgments of crash risk and driving ability were compared to two referents: the average same-age, same-sex driver, and the average same-age, same-sex V8 supercar champion. Results: Drivers displayed greater optimism when comparing their crash risk and driving ability to the average same-age, same- sex driver (respectively, 72%, 72.4%), than when comparing to a V8 supercar champion (respectively, 60%, 32.9%). When comparing judgements of crash risk and driving ability to a similar driver, it appears that participants in the present study are just about as optimistic about their risk of crash (i.e. 72%) as they are optimistic about their driving ability (i.e. 74.2%). … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Journal of safety research. Volume 79(2021)
- Journal:
- Journal of safety research
- Issue:
- Volume 79(2021)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 79, Issue 2021 (2021)
- Year:
- 2021
- Volume:
- 79
- Issue:
- 2021
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2021-0079-2021-0000
- Page Start:
- 68
- Page End:
- 75
- Publication Date:
- 2021-12
- Subjects:
- Comparative optimism -- Comparative pessimism -- Risk of offending -- Self-reported speeding -- Perceptions
Industrial safety -- Periodicals
Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals
Safety -- Periodicals
Accidents, Occupational -- Periodicals
Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques
Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques
Accidents -- Prevention
Industrial safety
Periodicals
363.1 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00224375 ↗
http://www.elsevier.com/journals ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1016/j.jsr.2021.08.006 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0022-4375
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 5052.130000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 20068.xml