This study assesses the convergence of self-report and archival motor vehicle crash involvement and moving violations data in a 2-year longitudinal follow-up. The relationships among these criteria, conscientiousness, and driving speed were also assessed with the use of predictive and postdictive criterion-related validation designs. Data were collected from a 2-year follow-up sample of 334 participants, with a mean age at Time 2 of nearly 38 years and mean driving experience at Time 2 of around 21 years. Data were collected relative to participants' personality dimensions, typical driving speed above or below speed limits, and the number of defensive driving and defensive courses taken. Results suggested a lack of convergence between self-report and archival data at both Time 1 and Time 2. The predictor/criterion relationships varied across research design and data source. The interpretation of relationships between specified predictors and crash involvement and moving violations should be done within the context of the criterion-related validation design and criterion data source. Specifically, predictive designs may produce results different from those of postdictive designs. Furthermore, self-report data includes a broader range of incidents, such as more crashes and tickets. It is recommended that researchers should consider using self-report data when they are interested in including lower threshold crashes and tickets that may not be reported on state records (e. g., because of the completion of a defensive driving course).
Abstract