Predicting risky driving behaviours using the theory of planned behaviour: A meta-analysis

• Published in: Accident analysis and prevention 2024-12, Vol.208, p.107797, Article 107797
• Main Authors: Somoray, Klaire, White, Katherine M., Watson, Barry, Lewis, Ioni
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitude; Automobile Driving - psychology; Distracted driving; Distracted Driving - psychology; Driving under the influence; Driving Under the Influence - psychology; Driving Under the Influence - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Intention; Meta-analysis; Psychological Theory; Risk-Taking; Risky driving behaviours; Seat belt use; Speeding; Theory of Planned Behavior; Theory of planned behaviour
• ISSN: 0001-4575; 1879-2057; 1879-2057
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2024.107797

•The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) predicts risky driving behaviours.•TPB explains 30–51 % of the variance found in intention.•Attitude is the strongest predictor of intention across the different driving behaviours.•TPB explains 36–48 % of variance in found observed and/or prospective behaviours.•Intention is the strongest predictor of observed and/or prospective behaviours. The current meta-analysis explored the efficacy of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) in predicting high-risk driving behaviours. Specifically, we examined speeding (in relation to exceeding the limit as well as speed compliance), driving under the influence, distracted driving, and seat belt use. We searched four electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest) and included original studies that quantitatively measured the relationships between the TPB variables (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control [PBC], intention, and prospective/objective behaviour). The study identified 80 records with 94 independent samples. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the JBI checklist for cross-sectional studies and compliance with the TPB guidelines. Together, attitude, subjective norm and PBC explained between 30 % and 51 % of variance found in intention, with attitude showing as the strongest predictor for intention across the different driving behaviours. The findings also showed that the model explained 36 %–48 % variance found in predicting the observed and/or prospective behaviours for distracted driving, speed compliance and speeding. Understanding the varying strengths and thus relative importance of TPB constructs in predicting different risky driving behaviours is crucial for developing targeted road safety interventions.