Role of sensation seeking and attitudes as mediators between age of driver and risky driving of Powered Two Wheelers

Abstract

IntroductionThis study examines the effect of age of driver on risky driving of Powered Two-Wheelers (PTW) employing sensation seeking and safety attitudes as mediators. MethodsA survey was conducted with 1299 PTW drivers (1089 males and 210 females) within the age of 18 and 63years, living in the state of Kerala, India. The questionnaire consisted of 31 items to measure sensation seeking, safety attitude, and risky driving of the drivers. ResultsMediation models were examined using sensation seeking as mediator and secondly safety attitudes as mediators. The relationship between the driver's age and risky driving was fully mediated by all the three variables. Practical applicationsResults of this study suggest that safety strategies should be employed to reduce risky driving tendencies that could be achieved by shaping or adapting the mediators (reducing sensation seeking and enhancing safety attitudes). This goal could be reached by starting to educate children about this at an early stage when they are at school as well as by social learning and safety awareness campaigns.