Anger-provoking events in driving diaries: A content analysis

A previously validated coding scheme of offensive driver behaviour was used to content analyse driving diary entries. A new perceived causation coding scheme was also developed to identify victims' perceptions of why events occurred. Inter-rater reliability of the behaviour coding scheme was very good (kappa = .81). The most frequently reported driver behaviours were weaving and cutting, which was included in 33% of all diary entries, followed by slow driving (20%), speeding (13%), perceived hostile driver displays (13%), and tailgating (11%). These results were contrasted with those of the previous applications of the coding scheme. Assessed independently across all diary entries, inter-rater reliability of the coding of three causation categories was within an acceptable range (kappa = .51, .41, .67 for retaliation, time urgency, and negligence, respectively). When applied exclusively to the critical diary entries identified by each participant as the most negative and upsetting, the reliability improved greatly (kappa = .60, .80, and .81). The most frequently reported source of perceived causation was negligence, involved in 15% of all diary entries and 41% of critical events, followed by time urgency (14% of all entries and 29% of critical events) and retaliation (9% of all entries and 11% of critical events). Future research applications of the content coding systems and implications of the findings for driver safety are discussed.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2013.02.002
• Record URL:
  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1369847813000223
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/13698478
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Wickens, Christine M
  • Roseborough, James E W
  • Hall, Ashley
  • Wiesenthal, David L
• Publication Date: 2013-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 108-120
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
  • Volume: 19
  • Issue Number: 0
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1369-8478
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13698478

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggression; Anger; Behavior; Driving; Problem drivers; Psychological aspects; Travel diaries
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01484950
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 3 2013 4:38PM