Multivariate Analysis of the Relationship between Drivometer Variables and Drivers' Accident, Sex, and Exposure Status

Abstract

Drivers classified by sex, accident history, and driving exposure drove a 50--km route in an instrumented car. Run time, speed changes, fine and coarse steering--wheel reversals, accelerator and brake applications, lateral accelerations, gear changes, traffic--free speed, signals, and overtaking were recorded. Aggression and anxiety tests were also administered, and discriminant analyses were performed on the results. In general, the personality variables did not discriminate between driver groupings. With regard to driving variables, however, significant and important discriminations between groups were made. Accident--involved drivers drove more quickly on clear roads, moved about more, and overtook in traffic. When moderate--exposure drivers were examined, both female and male accident--free drivers were typified by relatively low mean clear speed, infrequent overtaking, and frequently being overtaken. In addition, accident--free females used the brakes relatively infrequently. Accident--free males did not move the car about in traffic. Overall, high--exposure male drivers tended to drive relatively quickly, but those who were accident free were typified by adjusting their car to changing conditions (brake applications, gear changes, accelerator applications, and possibly coarse steering--wheel reversals).