Personality traits as predictors of driver behaviour: a comprehensive profiling study of Portuguese drivers

Human factors substantially contribute to road crashes. However, assessing their effects is complex due to the influence of individual characteristics such as personality. Therefore, studies examining the relationship between personality traits and driving behaviour are essential. This study aimed to construct driver behaviour profiles based on these relationships within a large sample of Portuguese drivers. A community sample of 747 licensed drivers, aged under 75 and with at least three years of driving experience, completed an online survey. Instruments included the NEO-Five Factor Inventory-20, the Impulsivity and Sensation Seeking Scale, and the 24-item Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ). Firstly, multiple linear regressions were conducted considering the three driving behaviour dimensions of the DBQ to support the construction of the profiles. Results indicated that neuroticism, agreeableness, extraversion, impulsivity, and sensation seeking predicted infractions and aggressive driving. Neuroticism, conscientiousness, and impulsivity predicted non-intentional errors, while neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness, and impulsivity were associated with lapses. Even after controlling for age and gender, personality traits remained significant predictors. Secondly, four driver behaviour profiles were constructed using two alternative methodologies: an empirical approach and cluster analysis with k-means. Profiles built using the empirical approach resulted in four groups of drivers characterised by more easily identifiable driving behaviours: prudent, regular, distracted/forgetful, and aggressive drivers. The distracted/forgetful group showed a positive relationship to crash involvement. Overall, the study shows that the complex driver behaviour needs to be carefully grouped.