title: Traffic Offences: Planned or Habitual? Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour and habit strength to explain frequency and magnitude of speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol.
abstract: This study addresses the socio-cognitive determinants of traffic offences, in particular of speeding and drinking and driving. It has two aims: (1) to test the hypothesis of a direct effect of habits on offences (i.e., independent of intentions) by employing a specific measure of habits (i.e., the SRIH) and (2) to analyse the offences by taking account of three distinct parameters: Frequency, usual magnitude (i.e., the most frequent deviation from the law) and maximal magnitude (i.e., the greatest deviation occasionally adopted) in order to represent more accurately the variability of the offending behaviours. A total of 642 drivers replied to a questionnaire. The results corroborate the idea that intention and habit are distinct and direct determinants of offences. The use of the SRIH dismisses the criticisms made with regard to the measure of past behaviour. The distinction between the three behavioural parameters proves to be relevant, as their determinants are not exactly similar. Finally, attitude and subjective norm had direct effects on the maximal magnitude and/or on the frequency of the offence. The discussion concerns the contribution of this study to the analysis of offences as well as its limitations and addresses the theoretical plausibility of the direct effects of attitude and the subjective norm.
authors: UFR SLHS Laboratory of Psychology (EA3188), University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
authors: Florent
authors: F
authors: Lheureux
authors: UFR SLHS Laboratory of Psychology (EA3188), University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Auzoult
authors: UFR SLHS Laboratory of Psychology (EA3188), University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
authors: Colette
authors: C
authors: Charlois
authors: UFR SLHS Laboratory of Psychology (EA3188), University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
authors: Sandrine
authors: S
authors: Hardy-Massard
authors: UFR SLHS Laboratory of Psychology (EA3188), University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France.
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Minary
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology*; D000066479:Criminal Behavior; D000066448:Driving Under the Influence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012919:Social Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Self-Reported Index of Habit strength; attitude; behavioural intention; drinking and driving; speeding; traffic offences