The beliefs which motivate young male and female drivers to speed: A comparison of low and high intenders

• Published in: Accident analysis and prevention 2012-03, Vol.45, p.334-341
• Main Authors: Horvath, C., Lewis, I., Watson, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acceleration; Accidents, Traffic - prevention & control; Accidents, Traffic - psychology; Adolescent; Arousal; Australia; Automobile Driving - psychology; Beliefs; Culture; Education; Excitation; Female; Females; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Intention; Intentions; Male; Males; Perception; Psychological Theory; Reporting; Risk-Taking; Roads; Safety - statistics & numerical data; Sex Factors; Social Support; Speeding; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Theory of planned behaviour; Young Adult; Young drivers
• ISSN: 0001-4575; 1879-2057
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2011.07.023

► An empirical investigation of the theory of planned behaviour's beliefs underpinning speeding intentions of young male and female drivers (N=398). ► Investigation of young drivers’ beliefs allows for a greater understanding of their involvement in risky speeding behaviour, as beliefs influence intentions, the antecedent to behaviour. ► Differences found in the beliefs of male and female, low and high intenders (to speed) suggesting different motivating factors underpinning risky speeding behaviour. ► Practically significant research as able to inform the content of mass media and public education campaigns based on key beliefs influencing speeding intentions of high risk young drivers (i.e., high intenders). In Australia, young drivers aged 17–24 years, and particularly males, have the highest risk of being involved in a fatal crash. Investigation of young drivers’ beliefs allows for a greater understanding of their involvement in risky behaviours, such as speeding, as beliefs are associated with intentions, the antecedent to behaviour. The theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was used to conceptualise beliefs using a scenario based questionnaire distributed to licenced drivers (N=398). The questionnaire measured individual's beliefs and intentions to speed in a particular situation. Consistent with a TPB-based approach, the beliefs of those with low intentions to speed (‘low intenders’) were compared with the beliefs of those with high intentions (‘high intenders’) with such comparisons conducted separately for males and females. Overall, significant differences in the beliefs held by low and high intenders and for both females and males were found. Specifically, for females, it was found that high intenders were significantly more likely to perceive advantages of speeding, less likely to perceive disadvantages, and more likely to be encouraged to speed on familiar and inappropriately signed roads than female low intenders. Females, however, did not differ in their perceptions of support from friends, with all females reporting some level of disapproval from most friends and all females (i.e., low and high intenders) reporting approval to speed from their male friends. The results for males revealed that high intenders were significantly more likely to speed on familiar and inappropriately signed roads as well as having greater perceptions of support from all friends, except from those friends with whom they worked. Low and high intending males did not dif