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Publication Detailed Description
Risky behavior, personality traits and road accidents among university students
Journal Title
European Journal of Education and Psychology
Year (definitive publication)
2009
Language
English
Country
Spain
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Abstract
The personality traits that mediate risky driving and accidents among university students
drivers were investigated. Study 1 (N=132) tested for the relation between risky
behaviors and personality (16PF-5 second order dimensions). Three factors were
extracted concerning risky driving: driving errors of commission, distraction, and driving
errors of omission. Individuals with low self-control and high levels of anxiety were
more prone to commit distractive behavior and driving errors of omission. Low selfcontrol and high independence levels were associated with driving errors of commission.
In study 2 (N=540), we tested if the number of road accidents for which an individual
has been responsible was related to risky driving behavior. Drivers who committed more
accidents presented higher scores in three new risky driving factors obtained: reckless
driving, impaired concentration and division of attention.
Acknowledgements
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Keywords
Risky driving,Personality,Accidents,Behavior