AN EXPLORATION OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE AVERAGE DRIVER'S SPEED COMPARED TO PERCEIVED DRIVER SAFETY AND DRIVING SKILL

摘要

This study investigates the self-enhancement bias in driver attitudes, the finding that drivers rate themselves better than the average driver on safety and skill perceptions (Svenson, 1978, 1981; McCormick et al., 1986). A sample of 86 New Zealand drivers were asked their perceptions of their own and others' speeds in two conditions, 50 km/h and 100 km/h. The results established the self enhancement bias for speed and safety, but not skill. Between 85/100 and 90/100 of drivers claimed to drive slower than the 'average driver.' A new methodological technique derived from Harre and Gillett (l994) was used to investigate the direction of the self enhancement bias. The results support the Downward Comparison Theory (Wills, 1981) because drivers consider other drivers negatively, rather than exaggerating their self perceptions.