Particular factors that have been studied in relation to their association with a driver's accident liability include: (a) propensity to commit driving errors and violations; (b) attitudes of the driver towards both their own and other road users' driving; (c) attitudes of the driver towards the vehicle in which they drive, particularly the emphasis they place on speed, acceleration and engine size as opposed to safety, comfort and reliability of the vehicle; (d) actual driving behaviours observed on the road, such as speed limit observation and overtaking judgements; and (e) general personality variables such as mild social deviance and decision-making thoroughness. These are the factors discussed in this chapter, together with an illustrative study of their association with self-reported accident rates.
Abstract