Assessing the relationship between driving skill, driving stress, and driving behavior

Introduction: Driving skill, driving stress, and driving behavior have an effect on road traffic safety. Most previous studies have investigated the effect of driving skill or driving stress on driving behavior separately. However, the relationship and effect mechanism between driving skill, driving stress, and driving behavior have been neglected. Method: 1207 licensed drivers completed a valid questionnaire, which consisted of driving skill subscale, driving stress subscale, and driving behavior subscale, and eight factors were identified from the three subscales. This study used correlation analysis, regression analysis to explore the relationship between driving skill, driving stress, and driving behavior, and examined the mediating and moderating roles of driving stress. Results: (a) There was a significant relationship between driving skill, driving stress, and driving behavior. (b) Highly skilled drivers showed decreased driving tension, thrill seeking, dislike of driving and increased hazard monitoring, and reported fewer lapses and errors, but more violations. Driving tension, thrill seeking increased aberrant driving behavior, while hazard monitoring helped reduce aberrant behaviors. (c) Driving stress had a mediating effect between driving skill on lapses and errors. Hazard monitoring and dislike of driving had a suppressing effect between driving skill on violations. (d) The positive effect of driving skill on violations was enhanced under positive driving tension and thrill seeking. Conclusions: Aberrant driving behavior was influenced by driving skill and driving stress. Driving skill influenced driving behavior through driving tension, hazard monitoring, and dislike of driving. Driving tension and thrill seeking moderated the relationship between driving skill on violations. Practical Applications: This study further explored the relationship between driving skill, driving stress, and driving behavior. It provides guidance for reducing aberrant driving behavior on driver education, that is, paying more attention to improving driving skill, as well as developing safety attitudes and self-regulation ability.