Cognitive Biases, Risk Perception, and Risky Driving Behaviour

Cornelia Măirean,Grigore M Havârneanu,Corneliu Havârneanu,Danijela Barić

doi:10.3390/su14010077

Cornelia Măirean, Grigore M Havârneanu + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010077

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Abstract

This study evaluated the relationship between drivers’ cognitive biases (i.e., optimism bias, illusion of control) and risky driving behaviour. It also investigated the mediational role of risk perception in the relationship between cognitive biases and self-reported risky driving. The sample included 366 drivers (Mage = 39.13, SD = 13.63 years) who completed scales measuring optimism bias, illusion of control, risk perception, and risky driving behaviour, as well as demographic information. The results showed that risky driving behaviour was negatively predicted by optimism bias and positively predicted by the illusion of control. Further, risk perception negatively correlated with risky behaviour and also mediated the relation between both optimism bias and illusion of control with risky driving. The practical implications of these results for traffic safety and future research are discussed.

Highlights

Risky driving includes behaviours that pose a threat to the driver and to other road users, such as speeding, red-light running, tailgating, not using safety belts, drunk driving, etc. [1,2,3]
Optimism bias and illusion of control were negatively related to risk perception
The present study investigated the relations of optimism bias and illusion of control with risky driving behaviour

Summary

Introduction

Risky driving includes behaviours that pose a threat to the driver and to other road users, such as speeding, red-light running, tailgating, not using safety belts, drunk driving, etc. [1,2,3]. The study highlights methodological issues observed in the literature and the fact that alcoholimpairment research is a multidisciplinary area that includes engineering, medical, psychological, sociological, and legal aspects. Both the average volume of alcohol and binge drinking are associated with hazardous driving behaviour and traffic crashes [5]. A limited body of literature suggests that the biases in cognitive appraisal relating to control and optimism about future outcomes are likely to decrease risk perception and increase risky driving [7,12,13]. In order to be effectively targeted in safety campaigns and training programs, more insight is needed about the association of both optimism bias and illusion of control with driving behaviours

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