Fernando Martín Poó

Individual differences in driver inattention: the attention-related driving errors scale.

Objectives: Driver inattention is one of the most common causes of traffic collisions. The aim of this work was to study the reliability and validity of the Attention-Related Driving Errors Scale (ARDES), a novel self-report measure that assesses individual differences in driving errors resulting from failures of attention. The relationship between driver inattention and general psychological variables that could be connected to these phenomena was also explored. Methods: Participants were a convenience sample of drivers drawn from the general population of Mar del Plata, Argentina (n = 301). Drivers responded to ARDES items, a sociodemographic questionnaire, and several validation measures. The internal structure of ARDES was assessed by factor analysis and internal consistency analysis. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied to examine differences in ARDES scores due to sociodemographic variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between ARDES and self-reported traffic crashes and tickets. Pearsons correlations were calculated between ARDES and validation measures. Results: Factor analysis suggested the existence of one underlying factor. The 19 items proved to have discriminative power. The scales internal consistency was high (Cronbachs alpha = .86). ARDES discriminated those who had reported road crashes and traffic tickets from those who had not. Correlations with validation measures were robust and theoretically consistent. Findings suggested that driving errors are strongly associated with general error proneness, lack of attention when performing everyday activities, and dissociative personality traits. Conclusion: The present study provides preliminary evidence for the validity and reliability of the ARDES scores. Further validation studies should be conducted applying other methodologies and sources of information, such as traffic records, driving simulations, or naturalistic methodologies.

A Study on the Relationship Between Personality and Driving Styles

Objective: Research on driving behavior and personality traits is a key factor in the development of driver-oriented safety interventions. However, research is fragmented and a multidimensional perspective is lacking. The primary aim of this study is to assess the multiple relationships between driving styles and personality traits using the alternative 5-factor model. A secondary goal is to determine whether these relationships vary by gender and age. Methods: Data were collected from a sample of 908 Argentine drivers. Driving styles were assessed using the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory. Personality was assessed with the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ-50-CC; Aluja et al. 2006) questionnaire. Results: Different patterns of personality are associated with different driving styles. These relationships appear to be robust with respect to gender and age; however, in some cases these variables did influence the observed relationships. Conclusion: The results provide researchers with a more comprehensive understanding of the relationships between personality traits and driving styles. Practical prevention measures are discussed.

Motorcycle helmet use in Mar del Plata, Argentina: prevalence and associated factors

Injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes constitute a growing problem in Argentina and other Latin American countries. The problem is aggravated because helmet use is not widespread. This observational study analysed the prevalence of helmet use and related factors in a city in Argentina. The sample consisted of 2542 observations of motorcyclists. The results show an incidence of helmet use of 69.8% for drives and 43.4% for passengers. Helmet use was greater among women. Environmental and temporal conditions were related with the rate of helmet use. The findings indicate a considerable increase in helmet use with respect to prior years, providing evidence in favour of government policies. However, the number of motorcycles in circulation has tripled in the past five years, and therefore, the public health impact of injuries due to motorcycle crashes persists.

Measuring individual differences in driver inattention: further validation of the attention-related driving errors scale

Objective: The aim of this research was (a) to study driver inattention as a trait-like variable and (b) to provide new evidence of validity for the Attention-Related Driving Errors Scale (ARDES). Background: Driving inattention is approached from an individual differences perspective. We are interested in how drivers vary in their propensity to experience failures of attention and in the methods to measure these differences. Method: In a first sample (n = 301), we tested, via confirmatory factor analysis, a new theoretical model for the ARDES. In a second sample (n = 201), we evaluated the relationship between inattention and internal and external sources of distraction and social desirability bias in ARDES responses. A subsample (n = 65) was reevaluated to study temporal stability of the ARDES scores. Results: Errors measured by the ARDES can be classified according to the driving task level at which they occur (navigation, maneuvering, or control). Differences in ARDES scores based on collision history were observed. ARDES was related to internal sources of distraction and was independent of the level of exposure to distracting activities. Test-retest showed a high degree of stability in ARDES scores. Low correlations were found with a social desirability measure. Conclusion: ARDES appears to measure a personal trait that remains relatively stable over time and is relatively independent of distracting activities. New evidence of validity emerged for this self-report. Application: ARDES can be used to measure individual differences in driving inattention and to help tailor preventive interventions for inattentive drivers. It can serve as an instrument of driver self-assessment in educational and training contexts.

Implicit attitudes and road safety behaviors. The helmet-use case

We studied the role of implicit attitudes on road safety behaviors. We also explored the methodological benefits of using implicit measures to complement conventional self-reporting instruments. The results suggest that: (a) implicit attitudes are capable of predicting observed differences in the use of protective devices (helmet use); (b) implicit attitudes correlate with the emotional component of the explicit attitudes (e.g., perception of comfort-discomfort), but appear to be independent of the more cognitive components (e.g., perceived benefits); (c) the emotional component of the explicit attitudes appears to be the major predictor of behavior; and (d) implicit measures seem to be more robust against social desirability biases, while explicit measure are more sensitive to such bias. We conclude that indirect and automatic measures serve as an important complement to conventional direct measures (self-reports) because they provide information on psychological processes that are qualitatively different (implicit) and can also be more robust when it comes to response bias.

The Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) in an Argentine Population.

The purpose of this study was to provide evidence of validity for the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale scores in an Argentine sample (Spanish-language version). Results indicated satisfactory psychometric properties (a one-factor structure, good item discrimination, high reliability, and significant correlations with additional measures). This version could be useful for research and assessment ends.

The taxi industry: working conditions and health of drivers, a literature review

ABSTRACT The taxi industry plays an important role in urban transportation systems, both in economic and mobility terms. In the case of the former, it provides employment for a large number of people and circulates significant amounts of money. In the case of the latter, it is a flexible means of transportation capable of arriving at any destination. Although the way the taxi industry is organised varies across countries and even within countries, some factors are shared at varying latitudes of the globe. Working conditions, habits, health, and exposure to road crashes have been a subject of interest for researchers from various disciplines, including medicine, psychology, and economics. However, much of this research focuses on a part of the problem and is not mutually referential. A review of the literature may be useful not only to researchers of diverse disciplines but also to industry representatives and those public officials responsible for transportation, road safety and health policy. This article provides a comprehensive review of the working conditions of taxi drivers, their relationship to road risk exposure and their consequences on the health of workers. It also includes information on coping strategies and protective behaviors. The review is based on a Scopus database search. The search covered the period from 1990 to 2015. This initial search was complemented with other database searches, which yielded some additional studies. Our goal was to summarise existing knowledge, identify possible lines of research and suggest some practical recommendations. It would be important (a) to reduce the workload, establish adequate time for breaks, and provide access to healthcare, (b) to implement actions to promote and maintain healthy habits, (c) to diagnose, detect and treat indicators of occupational fatigue and stress, and (d) to develop programs that make it possible to evaluate work concerns and broaden coping strategies to foster positive changes.

El Test de Asociaciones Implícitas (Implicit Association Test): Una Revisión Metodológica

espanolLos modelos de cognicion social implicita han hecho importantes aportes metodologicos a la investigacion psicologica. Sobre la base de estos enfoques se han desarrollado las llamadas medidas “indirectas”, cuyo ejemplo mas representativo es el Test de Asociaciones Implicitas (IAT). Este trabajo se propone realizar una revision del IAT atendiendo especialmente a las criticas recibidas en relacion con su validez. Se analizan distintos problemas sobre su estructura interna, la naturaleza de los procesos subyacentes a las respuestas, y los posibles efectos contaminantes de otras variables. En cada caso, se realizan recomendaciones para su construccion y aplicacion. Se espera que este trabajo incentive el uso adecuado del IAT en los paises de habla hispana, donde el procedimiento se encuentra aun escasamente difundido. EnglishImplicit social cognition models gave relevant methodological inputs to psychological research. On the basis of these models the so called indirect measures have been developed, being the most representative of them the Implicit Association Test (IAT). The present paper is a revision of the research about the IAT, specially about the critics made of its validity. The paper analyzes different problems regarding its internal structure, the nature of the underlying processes, and the possible effects of confounding variables. Recommendations for the IAT construction and application are given. It is expected that this revision stimulate the correct use of the IAT in Spanish speaking countries where this procedure is scarcely spread.

Predicting road safety behavior with implicit attitudes and the Theory of Planned Behavior

Introduction The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) is one of the most widely used psychological models when it comes to explaining road safety behaviors. Recently, studies have also been conducted from the perspective of dual-process models. However, the present is the first study on road safety behaviors that integrates both perspectives. The study evaluates the roles of both implicit attitudes and TPB constructs in the prediction of seatbelt use. Method A sample of 100 drivers completed: (1) a self-reporting instrument on seatbelt use, (2) a questionnaire addressing TPB constructs, (3) an indirect measure of attitudes (Implicit Association Test), and (4) a social desirability scale. Results Results suggest that both types of attitudes make a significant and quite similar contribution to the explanation of seatbelt use. Interestingly, implicit attitudes were a better predictor than explicit attitudes among participants reporting inconsistent seatbelt use. In addition, path analysis models suggested that implicit attitudes appear to be relatively independent of TPB constructs and have a direct effect on seatbelt use. Conclusion The findings advance the idea of adding implicit attitudes to variables from the TPB model in order to increase the explanatory power of models used to predict road safety behaviors. Practical applications Potential use of implicit attitude measures in the education and training of drivers are discussed.

Trabajo y Salud en Conductores de Taxis

Fil: Ledesma, Ruben Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; Argentina