Accident history, risk perception and traffic safe behaviour.
This study clarifies the associations between accident history, perception of the riskiness of road travel and traffic safety behaviours by taking into account the number and severity of accidents experienced. A sample of 525 road users in Cameroon answered a questionnaire comprising items on perception of risk, safe behaviour and personal accident history. Participants who reported involvement in more than three accidents or involvement in a severe accident perceived road travel as less risky and also reported behaving less safely compared with those involved in fewer, or less severe accidents. The results have practical implications for the prevention of traffic accidents. Practitioner Summary: The associations between accident history, perceived risk of road travel and safe behaviour were investigated using self-report questionnaire data. Participants involved in more than three accidents, or in severe accidents, perceived road travel as less risky and also reported more unsafe behaviour compared with those involved in fewer, or less severe accidents. Campaigns targeting people with a less serious, less extensive accident history should aim to increase awareness of hazards and the potential severity of their consequences, as well as emphasising how easy it is to take the recommended preventive actions. Campaigns targeting those involved in more frequent accidents, and survivors of serious accidents, should address feelings of invulnerability and helplessness.
a Laboratory GRePS , Groupe de Recherche en Psychologie Sociale (EA 4163), University Lumière Lyon 2 , Bron , France.
Robert
R
Ngueutsa
b Inter-university Laboratory of Psychology (LIP-PC2S), University Grenoble Alpes , Grenoble Cedex 9 , France.
Dongo Rémi
DR
Kouabenan
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D002163:Cameroon; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D057566:Self Report; D014195:Travel / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Accident history; prevention; risk perception; road safety; safe behaviour