This study examined the main and interactive effects of road-hostility and driving internal locus of control on self-reported driving behavior. Ninety-five Israeli students (mean age = 25 years) anonymously completed scales assessing road-hostility, driving internal locus of control (DI), and the Speed and Deviance subscales of the Driving Style Questionnaire (DSQ-score). Only road-hostility was significantly correlated with DSQ-scores (r = .54). DI moderated the effects of road-hostility in relation to DSQ-scores: The association between road-hostility and DSQ-scores was larger among subjects with low than with high levels of DI. Finally, 64% of high-hostile low DI drivers were involved in an accident compared to only 29% of high-hostile high DI drivers. These results suggest that future studies need to examine the effects of increasing DI on the negative effects of road-hostility on driving behavior. The study's theoretical interpretations, application to accident-prevention and limitations are discussed. (Author/publisher).
Samenvatting