Perception of risk, feelings of vulnerability and effects on driving behaviour in women drivers across the lifespan

This research examined the effect of risk perception and feelings of vulnerability on women’s driving behaviour across the lifespan. It also developed and tested a modified theory of planned behaviour intervention to positively affect driving habits. The first two studies used quantitative analysis to model driving behaviours affected by risk perception and feelings of vulnerability, and established that feelings of vulnerability do indeed affect women’s driving behaviour, specifically resulting in increases in driving avoidance and the adoption of maladaptive driving styles. Further, that self-regulation, conceptualised as avoidance, is used by drivers across the lifespan. Qualitative analysis of focus group data in the third study provided a deeper understanding of the variations in coping behaviours adopted by sub-groups of drivers and extended the definition of self-regulation to incorporate adaptive coping strategies. The next study reported the construction and preliminary validation of the novel self-regulation index (SRI) to measure wider self-regulation behaviours using an objective measure of driving behaviour, a simulated driving task. The understanding gained from the formative research was used in the final study, an extended theory of planned behaviour intervention to promote wider self-regulation behaviour, measured using the previously validated self-regulation index. The intervention achieved moderate success with changes in affective attitude and normative beliefs as well as self-reported behaviour. The results offer promise for self-regulation, incorporating a spectrum of planning and coping behaviours, to be used as a mechanism to assist drivers in achieving their personal mobility goals whilst promoting safe driving.

• Record URL:
  http://eprints.aston.ac.uk/18498/
• Supplemental Notes:
  • PhD thesis
• Authors:
  • Gwyther, H
• Publication Date: 2013-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 1 file

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Behavior; Drivers; Driving cessation; Females; Focus groups; Psychology; Risk management; Travel behavior
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ATRI Terms: Attitude; Driver behaviour; Driving cessation; Female; Focus group; Psychology; Risk; Travel behaviour
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01489883
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 15 2013 9:50AM