Better Driving: "Respect on the Road"

Chapter 6: Research Evidence

6.1 Although there is little existing research directly on respect on the road there has been research examining the bad driving behaviours that might constitute lack of respect on the road. Annex B (produced for this study by Professor Mark Conner) provides a brief summary of the psychological evidence in this area.

6.2 This research indicates that there are reliable and valid measures of many of the bad driving behaviours noted earlier. There is also research examining the attitudinal and motivational determinants of a number of these behaviours. Research on changing such behaviours is more limited, although recommendations have been developed in relation to the content of speed awareness courses. Annex B also suggests a number of areas for further research. We believe that this is a promising field of activity. It should be targeted towards specific objectives.

6.3 It would be very desirable, if it could be done, for research to be conducted to: examine the frequency with which bad and good driving behaviours occur and the characteristics of those who perform them. In particular, it would be useful to know more about the distribution across the population and the extent to which the bad behaviours are performed by a limited number of persistent offenders; assess the predictors of various types of good and bad behaviour and the extent to which these are similar across behaviours; and devise and test those interventions which might be useful in influencing or changing these behaviours.

6.4 Such research might enable our road safety effort, from training and testing to publicity and campaigns, to be better targeted. In addition it might allow us to identify whether there are particular psychological profiles which are associated with various sorts of bad driving behaviour.

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