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| Improving Understanding of Risky Driving Behavior |
| Monday, May 31, 2004 |
| 3:00 PM–3:50 PM |
| Beacon B |
| Area: CSE |
| Chair: Michelle Bossart (University of Memphis) |
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| Effects of Demographic and Personality Factors on Risky Driving Behavior: A Hierarchical Regression |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| MICHELLE BOSSART (University of Memphis), W. B. Maulden (University of Memphis), Chris S. Dula (University of Memphis) |
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| Abstract: Risk-taking is one of three dimensions of dangerous driving (Dula & Geller, 2003). Risky driving is a major health and safety problem in our society. In 2002 alone, over 42,000 people were killed and 2.92 million injured in motor vehicle crashes in the United States (NHTSA, 2003). The present study examines the effects of demographic and personality variables on drivers’ propensity to engage in risky behaviors in a simulated environment. Participants completed demographic questionnaires and self-report measures of risk and then drove in a videogame simulation. To elicit a greater sense of realism and urgency, participants were told they were competing with a confederate for a $5 prize. Onscreen driving behaviors were videotaped and later coded in relation to predetermined risk categories. A hierarchical regression was then done to analyze the amount of variance accounted for in risky driving behaviors by demographic and personality predictors. The results and implications of the findings are discussed with a focus on identifying reliable predictors of risky driving. It is hoped that with the development of a risky driver profile, interventions might then be tailored to reduce risk in target populations. |
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| The Dula Dangerous Driving Index and Video Games |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| LISA AHN (University of Memphis), Sara R. Rayne (University of Memphis), Chantay M. Dudley (University of Memphis), Donna Baker (University of Memphis), Chris S. Dula (University of Memphis) |
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| Abstract: Public concern over aggressive driving has been on the rise as evidenced by the topic’s omnipresence on the Internet (Dula & Geller, in press). It has been asserted that aggressive driving incidents have risen substantially in the last decade (e.g., James & Nahl, 2000; Vest, Cohen, & Tharp, 1997). The focus of this paper is to highlight the important findings in a study of aggressive driving and negative emotionality in a simulated driving videogame. The primary purpose of the investigation was to determine whether the Dula Dangerous Driving Index [DDDI] and it’s Aggressive Driving, Negative Emotional Driving, and Risky Driving subscales were significantly correlated with behavioral indications of aggressive driving, negative emotional experiences, and risky driving. This was accomplished by analyzing behaviors of participants who engaged in a driving video game. The DDDI Negative Emotional scale accounted for significant variance in almost all behavioral categories. This suggested the entire DDDI is not needed for prediction of dangerous driving behaviors. Further results and discussion of the conclusions of this investigation are presented in the paper. |
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