Factors Determining Driving Behavior in China and the USA

摘要

Driving safety is becoming a more and more severe problem in China. The number of vehicles is growing much faster than the improvement of safety consciousness of the drivers and pedestrians, the development of road infrastructures, and the adaptation of legal regulations and other social factors. Among the many factors, drivers are believed to be the dominant factors responsible for traffic accidents. The objectives of this study were to identify the factors that determine the driving behavior in China, and compare the data with USA drivers in order to evaluate the similarities and differences in the road traffic systems of the two countries. The focus group method was adopted to qualitatively find and analyze the determining factors. The focus group discussions helped identify which factors determine safe driving in the USA and China and how perception and behavior may change due to having experienced driving in the other country. Furthermore, differences in the most important factors for safe driving in China and the USA are identified as well as the particular strengths and weaknesses of the two different road traffic systems. The results of the study may help related government departments take more effective measures to improve driving safety. The information may also help individual drivers of both countries understand safe and unsafe driving behaviors as well as safe interaction with other drivers and the road traffic system.