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Psychological and social factors influencing, motorcycle rider intentions and behaviour

Watson, Barry C. and Tunnicliff, Deborah J. and White, Katherine M and Schonfeld, Cynthia C. and Wishart, Darren E. (2007) Psychological and social factors influencing, motorcycle rider intentions and behaviour. Technical Report RSRG 2007-04, CARRS-Q, QUT.

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Abstract

This report documents two studies undertaken to identify and assess the psychological and social factors influencing motorcycle rider behaviour. The primary aim of the research was to develop a Rider Risk Assessment Measure (RRAM), which would act as a tool for identifying high-risk riders by assessing rider intentions and self-reported behaviour. The first study (n = 47) involved a qualitative exploration of rider perceptions utilising a focus-group methodology. This study identified six key aspects of rider behaviour considered to influence safety: motorcycle handling skills; rider awareness; riding while impaired or not; and the tendency to bend road rules, push limits, and ride at extreme speeds or perform stunts. Study two (n = 229) was survey-based and examined the psychological and social factors influencing these behaviours, utilising the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and other relevant psychological constructs, such as sensation seeking and aggression. This study indicated that risky rider intentions were primarily influenced by attitudes and sensation seeking, while safer intentions were influenced by perceived behavioural control. While intentions significantly predicted all six types of behaviour, sensation seeking and a propensity for aggression emerged as significant predictors, particularly for the volitional risk-taking behaviours. The measures of intention and behaviour comprising the RRAM were not found to be significantly correlated with self-reported crash involvement, possibly indicating shortcomings in the measurement of crashes. However, significant correlations were found between the components of the RRAM and self-reported traffic offence involvement. While further work is required to refine and validate the RRAM, it represents a potential tool for informing and evaluating motorcycle rider safety countermeasures.

Item Type:Departmental Technical Report
Status:Published
Keywords:motorcycle safety, theory of planned behaviour, sensation seeking, aggression
Subjects:350000 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services > 350400 Transportation > 350499 Transportation not elsewhere classified
380000 Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences > 380100 Psychology
350000 Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services > 350400 Transportation
320000 Medical and Health Sciences > 321200 Public Health and Health Services > 321299 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified
ID Code:9103
Deposited By:Johnson, Anna
Deposited On:21 August 2007
Alternative Locations:http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/2007/road_rgr_200704.aspx
Copyright Owner:Copyright 2007 CARRSQ-QUT
Copyright Statement:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.