The 'human factor' of road (un)safety: social desirability, work environment and personality

Abstract

The article tackles the "human factor" of road accidents and dangerous driving. In addition to factors such as bad roads, inadequate signalisation, traffic jams, use of phone while driving, fast tempo of music in the car etc., the "human factor", namely driving aggressiveness and other psychological characteristics of drivers, constitutes one of the more important factors of road unsafety. Definitions of aggressive driving or the types of aggressive driving are first examined and the conclusion reached that numerous definitions are confusing, too broad and legally challenging. In the second part, the article attempts to answer the question of why humans represent the "weakest link in the road system" and which drivers represent biggest risk to other drivers. Social desirability is mentioned as one of the factors that dictate faster and faster driving styles, affecting young people, who are inclined to do whatever gains peer approval, as well as the adult population, since fast driving is viewed positively by society. Furthermore, the personality of drivers and its role in driving aggression is examined, revealing among other things that the Slovene national personality profile provides a favourable breeding ground for this type of deviance. In addition, the article sheds light on the role of structural violence and everyday work-related frustrations, which are too often channelled into aggressive behaviour on the roads. The article concludes with some thoughts on prevention, drawing on socio-psychological knowledge that is too frequently neglected in official (more or less punitive) prevention strategies in relation to the problem of road rage and dangerous, aggressive driving.