The relation between risk perception, risk-taking attitudes and driving behaviour among adolescents

摘要

The core aim of the present paper was to analyse associations between adolescents' perception of risk of traffic accidents, attitudes related to driving and risk behaviour in traffic. The study also examines the role of personality traits in relation to risk perception, attitudes and behaviour. The study was based on a self-completion questionnaire survey carried out among 4070 adolescent between 16 and 23 years of age in Norway. The results suggest that attitudes are the most important predictor of behaviour. However, the relation between attitudes and behaviour to some extend be caused by the influence of personality traits on attitudes. On this basis, it is concluded that the relation between personality traits and risk behaviour seems to be mediated through attitudes. This indicate that the role of personality traits in relation to risk behaviour also should be focused in e.g. designing an intervention program for traffic safety.