Why do ‘so’ much behind the wheel? How obsessive-compulsive symptoms, mindfulness, and anxiety influence distracted driving behaviours

IF 3.5 2区工程技术 Q1 PSYCHOLOGY, APPLIED

Transportation Research Part F-Traffic Psychology and Behaviour Pub Date : 2025-03-26 DOI:10.1016/j.trf.2025.03.019

Zihan Yang , Chao Zeng , Song Wang , Sjaan Koppel

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Driver Distraction Behaviour (DDB) contributes significantly to motor vehicle crashes, psychological factors playing a crucial role in its occurrence. This study aimed to examine the impact of Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms (OCS), mindfulness, and driving-related anxiety on DDB, as well as the roles of Perceived Safety (PS), Perceived Risk (PR), and Perceived Behavioural Control (PBC). A total of 539 participants (53.6 % female; mean age = 39.6 years, SD = 8.5, range = 21–66 years) completed an online survey assessing self-reported DDB and the six aforementioned factors. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was used to examine the relationships among psychological factors, while one-way ANOVAs assessed the effects of individual characteristics on psychological variables. As expected, the SEM results revealed significant positive correlations between OCS, driving-related anxiety, PS, PBC, and DDB, while mindfulness showed a significant negative correlation with DDB. PR had no significant association with DDB. These findings suggest that mindfulness practices may help reduce DDB, whereas anxiety may exacerbate it. OCS, a prevalent negative psychological symptom, may impair mindfulness and, in turn, increase DDB. One-way ANOVA results showed that gender, age, education level, and driving characteristics (i.e., driving age, driving frequency, and annual mileage) significantly influenced some latent variables. With the fast pace of modern life, more individuals engage in non-driving-related tasks while driving. Therefore, further research is needed to explore how mindfulness interventions and strategies to alleviate OCS and anxiety can mitigate DDB and reduce traffic risks. Additionally, traffic safety agencies should implement targeted education programs to address drivers’ overestimation of their control over DDB, reinforce awareness of its risks, and ultimately decrease its prevalence.

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来源期刊

Transportation Research Part F-Traffic Psychology and Behaviour Multiple-

CiteScore

7.60

自引率

14.60%

发文量

239

审稿时长

71 days

期刊介绍： Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour focuses on the behavioural and psychological aspects of traffic and transport. The aim of the journal is to enhance theory development, improve the quality of empirical studies and to stimulate the application of research findings in practice. TRF provides a focus and a means of communication for the considerable amount of research activities that are now being carried out in this field. The journal provides a forum for transportation researchers, psychologists, ergonomists, engineers and policy-makers with an interest in traffic and transport psychology.