Interactions between Driving Skills on Aggressive Driving: Study among Chinese Drivers

Abstract

Aggressive driving has attracted significant attention recently with the increase in related road traffic collisions occurring in China. This study aims to investigate the effect of driving skills on aggressive driving behaviors and traffic accidents to find implications for traffic safety improvement in China. A total of 735 Chinese drivers were recruited to complete a self-reported survey including demographic information, the translated Driver Skill Inventory (DSI), and Driver Aggression Indicator Scale (DAIS). Exploratory factor analysis was first conducted to investigate the factor structures of DSI and DAIS among Chinese drivers. Unlike the two-factor solution (i.e., perceptual-motor and safety skills) found in other studies, the current study result revealed a three-factor solution (i.e., perceptual-motor, safety, and emotional control skills) of DSI. Then, the interaction between DSI factors on DAIS factors, demographic variables, and the number of self-reported traffic accidents and offenses was tested by using moderated regression methods. The results revealed the interaction between perceptual-motor skills and safety skills on aggressive warnings committed by drivers themselves. The interactive effect between safety skills and emotional control skills on perceived aggressive warnings was also found. The results suggested that higher ratings of safety skills are essential for buffering the effect of high-level perceptual-motor skills and emotional control skills on aggressive driving in China. In conclusion, policy makers should be interested in understanding the effect of Chinese drivers’ skills on the aggression drivers committed and conceived in traffic. Successful intervention strategies should include all skill factors in the driver training contents.