A Multidimensional Analysis of Psychological Factors Influencing Speeding Behavior among Young Drivers: Application of Structural Equation Modeling

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors
Abdolvahab Hassanpour Kordasiabi 1
Farshidreza Haghighi 2
Hassan Divandari 3
1 PhD Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Road and Transportation Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Civil Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
10.22119/jte.2024.458776.2706
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the psychological and attitudinal factors influencing speeding behaviors among young drivers. Based on the results, the structural equation model revealed several significant relationships between psychological factors and speeding behavior among young drivers. Accordingly, the driver's attitude toward traffic laws and the difficulty in emotion regulation index with effect coefficients of 0.71 and 0.61 were the most important latent components influencing speeding violations among drivers. Furthermore, the internal control index was another factor affecting young drivers' speeding behavior (-0.43), and the difficulty in emotion regulation index was itself influenced by the Paulhus deception index in the present study. The findings indicate that specific dimensions such as limited access to emotion regulation strategies and lack of emotional clarity emerged as important factors in the tendency towards speeding. This emphasizes the importance of fostering emotional awareness and equipping young drivers with effective coping mechanisms for managing their emotions while driving. Moreover, interventions tailored to individual differences in traits such as leadership, autonomy, and resilience could be more effective in promoting responsible decision-making and flexibility in the face of external influences that may encourage speeding. Considering the findings of the present study, implementing interventions and educational programs could improve young drivers' behavior by developing emotion regulation skills, addressing cognitive distortions, enhancing internal control, and changing attitudes, which could impact reducing the risky behavior of exceeding speed limits among this group of drivers.

Keywords

Subjects

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Quarterly Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 16, Issue 3 - Serial Number 64
Winter 2025
Pages 4719-4746

  • Receive Date 21 May 2024
  • Revise Date 02 September 2024
  • Accept Date 23 September 2024