Car driver attitudes, perceptions of social norms and aggressive driving behaviour towards cyclists.
The interaction of car drivers and cyclists is one of the main causes of cycle incidents. The role of attitudes and social norms in shaping car drivers' aggressive behaviour towards cyclists, is not well understood and merits investigation. A sample of 276 drivers completed an online questionnaire concerning their attitudes towards cyclists, attitudes towards risky driving, perception of social norms concerning aggressive driving towards cyclists, and the frequency with which they engage in such aggressive driving behaviours. The results showed that attitudes towards cyclists, as well as social norm perceptions concerning aggressive driving towards cyclists, were associated with aggressive driving towards cyclists. Negative attitudes towards cyclists were more pronounced in non-cyclists than cyclists and their association with aggressive driving behaviour was stronger in cyclists than non-cyclists. The perception of social norms concerning aggressive driving towards cyclists had a stronger association with aggressive driving in non-cyclists than cyclists. Attitudes towards risk taking did not affect aggressive driving towards cyclists. These findings can inform campaigns that aim to improve cyclist and car driver interaction on the roads, making them safer to use for cyclists.
University of Western Australia, School of Psychology, Centre for Safety, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Perth, WA 6009, Australia. Electronic address: laura.fruhen@uwa.edu.au.
Laura S
LS
Fruhen
University of Aberdeen, School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 2UB, UK. Electronic address: r.flin@abdn.ac.uk.
Rhona
R
Flin
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D001642:Bicycling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D066262:Social Norms; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Aggressive driving; Attitudes; Car drivers; Cyclists; Social norms