Integration of Theory of Planned Behavior, Sensation Seeking, and Risk Perception to Explain the Risky Driving Behavior of Truck Drivers

Zhenming Li,Alan Hoi Shou Chan,Jianfang Zhu,Siu Shing Man

doi:10.3390/su13095214

Zhenming Li, Alan Hoi Shou Chan + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095214

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Abstract

Truck-related accidents account for a substantial portion of traffic accidents. Risky driving behavior is a main cause of traffic accidents. Understanding the risky driving behavior of truck drivers is therefore important in reducing truck-related accidents. This study aimed to propose and validate a research model that integrated a theory of planned behavior, sensation seeking, and risk perception to explain the risky driving behavior of truck drivers. A total of 471 valid data were collected from Chinese truck drivers in this study. Structural equation modeling and mediation analysis were used to examine the influence of factors in the research model on the risky driving behavior of truck drivers. Results showed that sensation seeking and risk perception of truck drivers were influential in shaping their intention to drive riskily with the mediation of attitude toward risky driving. Risk perception and attitude toward risky driving also had a negative influence and positive influence on the intention, respectively. On the basis of the findings, practical recommendations for reducing the risky driving behavior of truck drivers were provided for concerned parties.

Highlights

The National Bureau of Statistics [1] reported that the number of heavy trucks in China increased from 13.7 million in 2009 to 25.7 million in 2018, accounting for a remarkable growth of 87.6%
The results showed that the model fit indices of the measurement model, including χ2 /df, SRMR, root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), Tucker–Lewis Index (TLI), and comparative fit (CFI), met the required values (Table 3)
This study successfully proposed and validated a research model that combined theory of planned behavior with sensation seeking and risk perception to explain the risky driving behavior of truck drivers

Summary

Introduction

The National Bureau of Statistics [1] reported that the number of heavy trucks in China increased from 13.7 million in 2009 to 25.7 million in 2018, accounting for a remarkable growth of 87.6%. Management Bureau of Ministry of Public Security [2], truck-related crashes accounted for 21.1% of the total traffic crashes and 36.45% of the total crash deaths in China in 2016. Given these alarming facts, safety issues related to trucks and truck drivers have become urgent topics for transportation safety researchers. Fors et al [3] affirmed that a poorly designed truck control board may distract truck drivers from their driving tasks, which causes their unsafe driving behavior. The introduction of an additional display in a truck control board may be harmful to the driving performance of truck drivers. Du et al [4] investigated the influence of active and passive suspension truck seats on the vigilance and discomfort of truck drivers

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