Self-regulation differences across learner and probationary drivers: The impact on risky driving behaviours

Low-range, mid-range and high-range speeding: The association with speeding habits, perceived legitimacy and deterrence

INTRODUCTION

Speeding is a global road safety concern contributing to an excessive number of fatal crashes and serious debilitating injuries. Research identifying amendable factors associated with speeding to inform interventions is critical.

METHOD

This study examined the association of habit, perceived legitimacy of enforcement, and deterrence elements with three levels of speeding behavior; low- (<10 km/hr over the posted speed limit), mid- (10-20 km/hr), and high-range (>20 km/hr) speeding. An online survey of 870 participants aged over 17 years (M = 37 years) was administered.

RESULTS

Approximately 80% of participants reported low-range speeding, 40% mid-range speeding, and 20% high-range speeding. Differences were found between speeding on urban and open roads with the proportion of participants greater for mid- and high-range speeding on open roads. Multiple linear regressions were run finding habit and deterrence variables to be significant predictors of all three levels of speeding. Perceived legitimacy of enforcement was a significant predictor of high-range speeding only.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

These findings suggest countermeasures that encourage good speed-related habits would be promising. It is also concluded that additional deterrence measures that reduce punishment avoidance experiences (e.g., better detection of speeding behaviors) are needed to further curb speeding behaviors. Nevertheless, the current punishment for all levels of speeding is perceived to be an effective deterrent. These recommendations inform policy, training and education, and campaigns that target engagement in speeding.

Effects of factors of self-regulation vs. factors of external regulation of learning in self-regulated study

Since the mid-20th century, the study of Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) has aimed to identify the distinctive characteristics that enable individuals to acquire new knowledge and skills under their control. The theory of Internal Self-Regulation vs. External-Regulation in Learning (SRL vs. ERL; 2017) has postulated that a large number of self-regulatory variables are mediated by regulated/non-regulated or dysregulated features of the context. After signing their informed consent, a total of 616 university students completed validated instruments of SRL vs. ERL, behavioral regulation (SRB), regulatory teaching (RT), and metacognitive study control strategies (SRS). Using an ex-post facto design and correlation, regression, structural equation model and mediation analyses, the present research aimed to establish multicausal predictive relationships among the analyzed variables. Results indicated positive predictive effects between the external regulation variables on the self-regulation variables in learning [regulation (SRL)/non-regulation (NRL)/dysregulation (DRL)]; as well as positive predictive effects between SRL on SRB, RT and metacognitive SRS. Additionally, external regulation (ERL) not only predicted but mediated numerous relations among the variables studied. Other findings and important considerations for future research in the field of self-regulation are discussed.

It's not a hard and fast rule: A qualitative investigation into factors influencing speeding among young drivers

INTRODUCTION

Research demonstrates that young drivers exceed the posted speed limit more frequently than older drivers, and this demographic is also subsequently overrepresented in road crash statistics. This behavior remains a worldwide problem despite legal enforcement efforts that have proven to have limited efficiency and/or produce counterintuitive results.

METHOD

Consequently, this study undertook a qualitative analysis in order to understand the factors that are perceived to both prevent and promote speeding behavior among young drivers, guided by self-determination theory (SDT). Focus groups were conducted with a total of 60 young drivers aged 17-25 years. An inductive thematic analysis approach was taken to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Findings revealed the following factors influence the prevention of speeding: (1) legal consequences were perceived to deter low-level speeding, (2) fear of injury was believed to prevent high-level speeding, and (3) speed awareness monitors were considered to be an effective countermeasure. Meanwhile, factors perceived to contribute to violating speed restrictions included: (1) perceiving it is safe to do so, (2) a perceived norm to speed, (3) emotions, and (4) unintentional speeding. According to SDT, the factors that were perceived to prevent speeding promote externalized self-regulatory processes and are therefore limited by short-term behavior change.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The findings have important implications for designing countermeasures aimed at young drivers, not least illuminating the need to have education and media campaigns that target and build drivers' perceived competence, autonomy, and relatedness in relation to speeding in order to promote longer term compliance.

Investigating self-regulation in young adults who drug-drive

OBJECTIVE

Drug-driving among young adults is a growing concern. Methods other than enforcement are required to reduce engagement in such behavior. Research has identified satisfaction of individual's inherent psychological needs is predictive of positive behavioral outcomes sustainable in the long-term via the internalization of self-regulatory processes. Drug-driving behavior and self-regulation was explored through the lens of self-determination theory's needs-supportive model.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional survey of 304 participants (males = 78), aged 18-24 years (M = 20.61, SD = 1.92) was conducted. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling across Queensland, Australia. Measures included drug use, drug-driving behavior and self-regulation.

RESULTS

A hierarchical binary logistic regression showed that, aside from problematic drug use predicting drug-driving, higher scores for age, effort/importance, an indicator of internalization of regulatory processes, and trait self-regulation significantly predicted a decrease in the likelihood of young adult drug-driving, with 61% variance accounted for in the model.

CONCLUSIONS

Problematic drug use as the underlying issue contributing to drug-driving requires continued attention. However, viewing the issue of drug-driving as the result of unmet inherent psychological needs supports the notion that meeting these needs may reduce drug-driving in the long-term, instead of relying on the short-term effectiveness of enforcement measures. The study contributes to the limited research understanding the role of self-regulation in drug-driving behaviors. The implications of these findings include recommendations for psychological-based interventions guided by self-determination theory targeting young adults' drug-driving and more generally their long-term safe driving practices.