This paper reports on two studies of driver behaviour which used test drives (with observers accompanying the drivers) to examine drivers' speed choice and drivers' assessment of risk and perceived control. It is concluded from the speed choice study that: (i) speed behaviour seems to be stable, in that a single spot speed on the road can be predictive of speeds on a test drive; (ii) speed behaviour seems to be consistent over time; (iii) speed behaviour seems to be consistent across road types. The risk assessment study showed that, on a test drive: (1) a driver who drives faster or slower than average in the first few minutes of observation will do the same an hour later, and (2) a driver who drives faster or slower than average on a particular type of road will do the same on all types of road. The authors conclude that test drives can provide reliable and consistent measures of driver behaviour at a specific level. (A)
Abstract