Abstract
PurposeThe current study examined the relations between objective and subjective measures of driving patterns, focusing on traffic violations. In addition, the study explored the potential use of rewards in order to modify driving behaviors and examined the relationship between attitudinal and demographic variables and the frequency of speeding.MethodWe acquired subjective and objective data on driving behaviors in a sample of 114 young student drivers in Israel’s Southern region. We used a survey to acquire data on the participants’ history of violations, self-reported driving behavior, and subjective attitudes towards risks and fines. We then examined the participants’ objective driving behaviors using Get Location, a specifically designed smartphone application.ResultsWe found a substantive gap between subjective and objective data regarding traffic violations, but they were also significantly correlated. The demographic variables, including gender, failed to distinguish between frequent and non-frequent speeders, while attitudinal variables succeeded. Frequent speeders required a significantly higher potential reward, as well as a higher fine to motivate behavioral changes.ConclusionSelf-reported data can serve as a reasonable proxy for measuring the tendency to adopt particular driving patterns, including the tendency to engage in violations. In addition, the use of rewards can complement or possibly replace the reliance on negative sanctions in order to modify behavior.
Highlights
One of the central goals of traffic safety interventions is the modification of driver behavior [9, 26]
The results of the current study show a significant correlation between self-reported assessments of speeding and objective measures, suggesting that self-reports can be used to assess trends in driving behaviors
We found that the magnitude of rewards necessary to motivate self-regulation was significantly smaller than fines
Summary
One of the central goals of traffic safety interventions is the modification of driver behavior [9, 26]. Studies of driving behavior usually rely on self-reported assessments, but the validity of this method has been questioned [6, 28], in particular with regard to speeding [5]. Traffic safety interventions usually seek to change behavior by relying on the deterrence paradigm [21, 23]. We complemented this approach by exploring the potential role of rewards in motivating behavioral change. The current study examined driving behavior among 114 young drivers in Israel, focusing on speeding violations (hereafter speeding). In Israel, a recent report by the Israeli National Road Safety Authority (RSA) found that during 2015, 71% of young drivers (aged 24 and below) who were involved in a fatal accident committed a traffic violation, compared to 58% of drivers aged 25–44
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