Psychometric adaptation of the driving cost and benefit scale in Chinese drivers

The present study aimed to adapt the Driving Cost and Benefit Scale (DCBS, Taubman-Ben- Ari, 2008) to Chinese drivers and examine its relationships with driving style and traffic violations. Nine hundred drivers aged 18 to 60 years were asked to complete the DCBS and the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory. The results of exploratory factor analysis (n = 429) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 429) yielded a 36-item scale with satisfactory reliability. The Chinese version of the DCBS contains seven factors, including three driving cost factors (damage to self-esteem, life endangerment and distress) and four driving benefit factors (impression management, sense of control, thrill and pleasure). Significant associations between the DCBS-C factors and driving styles and traffic violations show that the discriminant validity of the scale is acceptable. Moreover, the driving cost factor of damage to self-esteem and the driving benefit factor of thrill both contributed to drivers’ traffic violations and crashes. The findings show that the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the DCBS are acceptable, and it can be used as a tool to measure driving motivation in China.     

Red light running by young motorcyclists: Factors and beliefs influencing intentions and behavior

Traffic violations by young riders are major safety problems in motorcycle dominated countries. This study investigates young motorcyclist’s red light running (RLR) intentions and behavior based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. Behavioral, normative, and control beliefs underlying rider’s RLR are identified. Young riders (N = 246) complete a TPB questionnaire measuring direct and beliefs-based measurement items. The exploratory factor analysis technique reveals factors according to TPB. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) results show moderate to good fits to the observed data and provide qualified support for the utility of TPB in explaining traffic violation behavior. The findings reveal that perceived norm and attitude dominate violation intentions. Beliefs about normative referents and negative outcomes affect RLR intentions. Intentions affect behavior, especially when riders lack of perceived autonomy. Rider’s degree of control is affected by the beliefs about facilitating circumstances and weather conditions. Besides, perceived autonomy and perceived capacity each influence violation intention and behavior independently. Implications for young motorcyclist safety interventions based on current findings are discussed.     

The failure to respond to changes in the road environment: Does road familiarity play a role?

Road signs do not necessarily lead to the right response. Especially when signs are changed, drivers may not always detect new signs and may therefore fail to respond correctly to the situation indicated. The present driving simulator study investigated whether road familiarity (increased exposure to the same road) influenced failure to respond to a change in road signs. In order to study the failure to respond, participants were presented with a change in the road lay-out (as indicated by a road sign) in the last of a series of simulated drives. The change introduced was the conversion of a normal road into a No-Entry road. Results show that several participants failed to respond to this change. However, the failure to respond was not simply the result of familiarity with the road or prior exposure to precisely the same road, but seemed to be influenced by expectations induced by the road design. Additional safety measures such as the placement of additional road signs reduced the failure to respond. An auditory in-vehicle message gave the best results. Interestingly, both in the case of additional signs and of the in-vehicle message, a general warning was sufficient, without the need to specify the precise traffic situation.     

Characteristics of older cyclists (65+) and factors associated with self-reported cycling accidents in the Netherlands

Cycling supports the mobility, health and independency of the ageing population. However, older cyclists have an increased injury risk. On average, the risk of older people to sustain an injury in a cycling accident is three times higher per cycling kilometre than for middle-aged people and the injury risk increases with age. In comparison with middle-aged cyclists (<65 years), the risk of hospitalization is more than four times as high for older cyclists (≥65 years). The aim of this study was to reveal characteristics of older cyclists in general and to explore which of these characteristics are associated with self-reported cycling accidents from age 59. More than eight hundred older cyclists (>65 years) filled out a questionnaire, which included questions on demographics, bicycle specifications and personal characteristics. By means of a logistic regression, the relationship between personal factors and self-reported bicycle falls were studied. The univariate models showed that age, physical and mental impairments, bicycle model, living environment, feelings of uncertainty of the cyclist and changed cycling behaviour (such as more patience, lower speed) were related to falling off a bicycle. From the multivariate model we can conclude that several factors are associated with falling off a bicycle in the older population: (1) every year the cyclists becomes one year older (from the age of 65), the chance they have fallen increases with 7.3%, (2) If cyclists have mental impairments, the chance they have fallen increases with a factor 2.5, (3) if cyclists were less than completely confident the chance they have fallen increases with factor 1.8, (4) if cyclists live in a rural environment compared to an urban environment the chance they have fallen increases with a factor 2.1. In conclusion, demographic, cycling and personal factors can be related to increased self-reported fall risk. It is advised to take these factors into account when implementing new cycling related safety measures.     

Modeling the impact of traffic conditions and bicycle facilities on cyclists’ on-road stress levels

Past research efforts have shown that cyclists’ safety, stress, and comfort levels greatly affect the routes chosen by cyclists and cycling frequency. Some researchers have tried to categorize cyclists’ levels of traffic stress utilizing data that can be directly measured in the field, such as the number of motorized travel lanes, motorized vehicle travel speeds, and type of bicycle infrastructure. This research effort presents a novel approach: real-world, on-road measurements of physiological stress as cyclists travel across different types of bicycle facilities at peak and off-peak traffic times. By matching videos with stressful events, it was possible to observe the circumstances of those stressful events. The stress data was normalized, and the method was carefully validated by a detailed analysis of the stress measurements. Novel statistical results from a multi-subject study quantifies the impact of traffic conditions, intersections, and bicycle facilities on average stress levels.     

Bicycle helmet law does not deter cyclists in Finland

Bicycle helmet legislation (BHL) in Finland went into effect in January 2003 and applies to cyclists of all ages. There are no mechanisms to fine cyclists riding without a helmet; however, helmet wearing rates are 64% in Helsinki and 42% across Finland. Our aim was to discuss possible effects of BHL on cycling in Finland. We used data from the 1998/1999, 2004/2005 and 2010/2011 Finnish National Travel Surveys. Data across three surveys suggest cycling has declined from before to after BHL. In a 2004/2005 survey, however, only 0.063% (95% CI: 0.02–0.10%) of responders identified helmet use as their most important obstacle to cycling. It is unlikely BHL is a causal factor in the downward trend in Finnish cycling. Lack of cycling infrastructure and concerns for safety are much more common reasons given.     

Predicting e-bike users’ intention to run the red light: An application and extension of the theory of planned behavior

Electric bike (e-bike) users in China have a high red light running (RLR) rate, contributing to a large number of accidents. This paper aims to examine the psychological motivation of e-bike users’ RLR intentions. A survey questionnaire was designed employing the construct of theory of planned behavior (TPB). The survey was performed in Chengdu, China in November 2016. We found that users older than 40 identify themselves as more cautious riders. Younger riders have higher intention to run the red light. E-bike users with car drivers’ licenses regard running the red light as a more difficult task to perform, and regard this behavior as more morally wrong. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze the data. The results showed that demographic variables (age, marriage status, and college degree), TPB variables (attitude and perceived behavioral control) and extended variables (moral norm and self-identity) are significant predictors for the intention of RLR behavior. The results could provide reference for designing more effective interventions and safety education programs for reducing e-bike users’ RLR rate.     

Features of Coping Strategies in Overcoming Extreme Critical Situations: A Study on Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Liquidators and Antiterrorist Participants

The present study investigated and compared coping strategies and self-perception of psychopathological symptoms or disorders and radiation threat at different times in 122 cleanup workers (liquidators) of the consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in 76 liquidators who were also evacuated from the contaminated area, in 81 participants in antiterrorist operations (ATO), and in 84 individuals who were not liquidators or ATO combatants. The results showed that liquidators used a variety of coping strategies, while ATO participants and control subjects mainly used problem-oriented strategies. In all groups, coping subscale scores showed positive correlations with the radiation hazard factor that in turn increased the self-perception of psychopathological symptoms or disorders. Taken together, these findings would suggest that life-threatening stressors related to IR might increase the vulnerability toward developing psychopathological disorders and symptoms.     

Life quality and rehabilitation after a road traffic crash: A literature review

Road traffic injuries continue to pose a worldwide threat to health and well-being of people. In European Union, for example, each year more than 25,000 people are killed and 1.4 million people are injured or disabled in road traffic crashes (RTCs). Additionally, families of RTC victims and their lives are affected emotionally, socially, psychologically, and economically. It should be noted that as in the beginning of 1990s, however, the majority of available literature is focused on the pre-RTC factors (e.g., prevention) rather than the post-RTCs (e.g., the rehabilitation of severely injured) period. As a result, disproportionally greater weight is attached on the pre-RTCs internationally whereas little is known about the psycho-social and economic burden of the post-RTCs period. In this paper, a literature review including the years 1990–2013 was conducted on the publications about post-RTCs period to investigate the possible problems that prevents studying the life quality and rehabilitation after RTCs. Trauma, traffic, injury, rehabilitation, and satisfaction (related to the services and process) were used as keywords and Scopus database (www.scopus.com) was used for searching. In the first step, 443 publications were obtained. Among 443 publications, 75 publications were recorded as relevant. In addition, three publications were suggested by co-authors and 37 publications were obtained by a book source suggested by the reviewer. A total number of 114 publications are presented and evaluated under different components or “stages” of the post-RTCs’ period related to rehabilitation as (a) service utilization indicators (e.g., length of care) and service satisfaction indicators (e.g. satisfaction from services), (b) morbidity indicators (e.g., injury patterns), (c) quality of life indicators (e.g., physical and psychological well-being indicators), (d) social network indicators (e.g., type and frequency of informal care provided by family members), and (e) cost indicators (e.g., overall expenditure). The overall evaluation of the publications in literature, possible implications, suggestions, and future directions were discussed.     

Impulsivity and driver behaviors,offences and accident involvement: A systematic review

The present literature review study investigated the relationship between impulsivity and driver behaviors, offences and road traffic accidents through the lenses of characterological perspective. The studies published from 1970 to 2014 that examined and reported a relationship between impulsivity and at least one driving related outcome (e.g., a self-report measure of driver behavior) were included. The relevant 38 out of 288 studies are presented in four sections based on the driving related outcomes as; (i) aberrant driver behaviors and driving anger/aggression, (ii) driving under the influence, (iii) traffic offences and accidents, (iv) other. The vast majority of the studies reported significant relationships between impulsivity and the driving outcomes. The general findings of the studies in the literature, suggestions including a new definition of impulsivity in driving context, and future directions are discussed in the scope of a proposed integrative conceptual framework.