PSYCHO-SOCIAL FACTORS AS PREDICTORS AND THE MEDIATORY ROLE OF RISK-TAKING PROPENSITY ON PRONENESS TO DISTRACTED DRIVING BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUNG DRIVERS IN IBADAN

Abstract

Proneness to Distracted Driving Behaviour (PDDB), the tendency for a driver to voluntarily or involuntarily be distracted, is assuming an alarming dimension. The most serious form of distracted driving is phone-related distractions. Hence, young drivers (18-25 years) are particularly more prone to distraction-related road traffic crashes. Although the mechanisms associated with PDDB among young drivers have been considerably addressed through interventions, this study investigated the psycho-social predictors (locus of control, religiosity and personality traits - extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism and openness to experience) and the mediatory role of risk-taking on PDDB among young drivers in Ibadan. Attribution, Planned Behaviour and Deterrence theories guided the study, while an ex-post facto research design was adopted. Having granted the five available Drivers’ Licence Centres (DLCs) in Ibadan equal chance, two centres were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were generated from young drivers in Onireke and Oyo State Secretariat DLCs. The purposive sampling technique was utilized in selecting 420 young drivers from those centres. A structured questionnaire containing socio-economic variables, Susceptibility to Driver Distraction Questionnaire (=0.85), Duke University Religion Index- (=0.68), Traffic Locus of Control (=0.84), Risk-Taking (=0.90) and B-F10 personality (=0.65) scales was used. Data were analysed using Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation, Multiple regression and Test of Mediation with Structural Equation Modelling at 0.05 level of significance. The participants’ age was 22.6 years ± 2.1. The psycho-social factors jointly predicted PDDB among young drivers (R2 = .04; F = (5,414) = 2.13; P<.05). Further, the path analysis was used to assess the psycho-social factors that predicted PDDB via multiple causal pathways. The independent contribution of extraversion on risk-taking (β = .139, t= 2.816, p<.05) was significant in Path A. Also, the independent contribution of risk-taking on PDDB (β = .327, t= 7.085, p<.01) was significant in Path B. Further, in Path C1, only religiosity (β = .216, t= 3.323, p<.01) was significant on PDDB. Moreover, in Path C2, religiosity (β = .204, t= 3.294, p<.01) and risk-taking (β = .313, t= 6.752, p<.01) were significant on PDDB. Though independently, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism and openness to experience did not predict voluntary PDDB; however, when risk-taking propensity was introduced, extraversion predicted voluntary PDDB. Hence, the psycho-social factors through risk-taking propensity have partial mediatory effects on PDDB. Also, the mediatory role of risk-taking propensity, an intermediate variable, helps explain how extraversion, conscientiousness, external locus of control, and religiosity influence PDDB. Locus of control and religiosity are strong determinants of proneness to distracted driving behaviour among young drivers in Ibadan. Risk-taking propensity has a mediatory influence on proneness to distracted driving behaviour. Road traffic personnel should take cognizance of these factors in sensitizing young drivers on the dangers of distracted driving, especially using a phone while driving. Various driving schools and faith-based organisations should also make efforts to lay more emphasis on risk reduction among young drivers while driving.