Citation

Gidron Y, Gal R, Syna Desevilya H. Transp. Res. F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 2003; 6(2): 109-116.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S1369-8478(03)00009-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined the main and interactive effects of road-hostility and driving internal locus of control on self-reported driving behavior. Ninety-five Israeli students (mean AGE=25 years) anonymously completed scales assessing road-hostility, driving internal locus of control (DI), and the Speed and Deviance subscales of the Driving Style Questionnaire (DSQ-score). Only road-hostility was significantly correlated with DSQ-scores (r=.54). DI moderated the effects of road-hostility in relation to DSQ-scores: The association between road-hostility and DSQ-scores was larger among subjects with low than with high levels of DI. Finally, 64% of high-hostile low DI drivers were involved in an accident compared to only 29% of high-hostile high DI drivers. These results suggest that future studies need to examine the effects of increasing DI on the negative effects of road-hostility on driving behavior. The study's theoretical interpretations, application to accident-prevention and limitations are discussed.