This paper proposes a new theory to account for why people sometimes drive in a manner that increases the risk of collision. The theory is based on cognitive psychological precepts; it claims that driving behaviour depends on the effects of the drivers' core constructs, affect-state, schemata, attention and perception of environmental information. The author proposes a goal - achievement - monitoring control - process model of affect - mediated driving behaviour. Interviews with a number of members of the Victoria Police who have been involved in collisions provide empirical support for the theory and suggest that faulty schemata, misattention (including where the driver's orienting response is inadequately primed to recognize hazards) and carelessness account for the majority of collisions. Other cases have shown that aggressive-competitive and risk-raking behaviours, and drowsiness may also be causal factors in collisions. (A)
Abstract