Women drivers' behavior in well-known versus less familiar locations.
BACKGROUND
Through observations this study sought to examine the effects of road familiarity on driving performance.


METHODS
Severe and minor traffic violations, dangerous behaviors, and speeding were assessed in well known and in less familiar locations.


RESULTS
As compared to less known locations, drivers in well known locations performed more severe and minor violations, more dangerous behaviors, and they drove above the speed limit more often.


CONCLUSIONS
The results are discussed in the context of Theory of Risk Homeostasis (later re-labeled as Target Risk Theory), the psychological effect of familiarity on driving performance, and the phenomenon of automatic driving. Presenting the risk of driving in familiar locations would assist to elevate safe driving.
Rosenbloom
Tova
T
The Interdisciplinary Department of Social Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gat, 52900, Israel. rosenbt1@mail.biu.ac.il
Perlman
Amotz
A
Shahar
Amit
A
D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology; D001519:Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States