A cross-cultural analysis of driving styles for future autonomous vehicles

Abstract

The success of an autonomous driving system largely depends on gaining the trust of its users and meeting their expectations for comfortable rides. However, the driver's expectation differs because they have different driving styles, which also vary in conditions. To gain a better understanding of driving styles, a study was conducted using the Multidimensional Driving Styles Inventory (MDSI) to investigate regional differences between Chinese and UK drivers, and the impact of passengers on driving behaviour. The study involved two groups of drivers (n ​= ​215 from China and n ​= ​240 from the UK) who completed a set of empirically validated questionnaires. The results showed that Chinese drivers exhibited higher levels of reckless, angry, and anxious driving styles than UK drivers. Moreover, driving with family members or friends led to fewer instances of reckless, anxious, and angry driving than driving alone. Family passengers were found to have a greater impact on driver responsibility than friend passengers, reducing the likelihood of maladaptive driving style.