Aggressive driving in Portugal: assessing the metric properties of the aggressive Driving Behaviour scale

Aggressive driving behaviour is a pervasive global problem, underscoring the necessity of reliable and valid measurement instruments. This study examines the psychometric properties of the Aggressive Driving Behaviour Scale (ADBS), an 11-item measure of aggressive driving behaviour conceptualised as comprising two factors: Conflict Behaviour and Acceleration. The scale, along with the PADI, was administered to a sample of 1,538 Portuguese drivers (902 female), aged between 18 and 80 years; a subsample of 278 completed the DAS-Short Form and the BIS-11. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the original two-factor structure, with acceptable model fit. The ADBS exhibited satisfactory internal consistency, whereas evidence for convergent and discriminant validity was mixed, partially supported by correlational analyses and the HTMT ratio. These findings suggest that the Portuguese version of the ADBS is a promising tool for assessing aggressive driving behaviour, although further research is needed to strengthen evidence for its convergent and discriminant validity.