Driver boredom is an area of driver behaviour that has received very limited attention. This study explores the factor structure underlying driver boredom and investigates age and gender differences in the experience of driver boredom and preferred driving speeds. A self-report questionnaire was designed to investigate driver boredom and its effect on road safety. The questionnaire includes measures of driver boredom, personality (including proneness to boredom) and driving experience. A principle components analysis suggests that driver boredom consists of 8 dimensions: dislike of driving, driver boredom, driver error, driver speed-seeking, driver stimulation-seeking, driver control-seeking, driver challenge-seeking and driver social interactionseeking. Analyses also show age and gender differences in scores on these dimensions as well as in preferred driving speeds. It is concluded that drivers’ goals are important determinants of their behaviour and the experience of driver boredom. It is further concluded that drivers’ goals and behaviours show demographic differences. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting