This study examined possible underlying causes of risk-taking behaviour: optimism bias (the belief in our own superior future life which affects our perceived susceptibility to risks) and risk utility. Differences between young and older drivers were considered. Both male and female respondents showed overconfidence in their driving skills. This optimism effect increased with age and males were more optimistically biased than females, consistent with previous findings. The over-estimations of casualties in all traffic accidents observed in the survey may result in optimism bias on driving skills and possibly lead to perceived invulnerability to traffic crashes, through the belief that others are worse off than they really are. The results also revealed that risk utility scores (computed from measures of the value seen in the thrill of speed, retaliation against other drivers, impressing friends etc.) correlated positively with self-reported moving violations committed. Age and gender were the most powerful predictors of committing moving violations, regardless of optimism. (Author/publisher) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E207978.
Samenvatting