This paper describes a study examining the psychometric properties of a new social deviance scale (the Social Motivation Questionnaire) and the extent to which scores on this scale are associated with risky driving styles and accident proneness. The study also measures the driver's Type A behaviour pattern and decision making style, in order to examine the extent to which social deviance correlates with accident risk independently of such variables. A correlational design method was used. The data was obtained from the following sources: a) self report measures of thoroughness, accident risk, driving speed, driving violations, age, sex and annual mileage from a survey of 711 drivers carried out in December 1988/January 1989, and in a follow up survey of 433 drivers in December 1990/January 1991; b) self report measures of mild social deviance, Type A behaviour pattern, driving speed and driving violations obtained by questionnaire in a follow up carried out in 1990. A total of 108 subjects provided complete information on all measures at all time points. The results indicate that the new scale of social deviance, which focuses on motivation to pursue self interest at the expense of others was indeed associated with increased accident proneness. This was partly mediated by faster driving. Social deviance may also be related to accident risk through an increased tendency to engage in deviant driving behaviour.
Abstract