Email this article 
(Department of psychology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University Gorakhpur, India)(2) Anubhuti Dubey
(Department of psychology, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University Gorakhpur, India)*corresponding author
AbstractUnderstanding the relationship between psychological well-being and driving style is essential for addressing public health issues related to road safety. Road accidents impose substantial economic, social, and emotional burdens. This review aims to (1) identify psychological and behavioral determinants of driving behavior, (2) explore how driving style moderates the link between psychological well-being and road safety behavior, and (3) evaluate interventions that promote safer driving outcomes. A systematic review of 30 empirical studies (20 international, 10 Indian) published between 2000 and 2025 was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate. Studies were selected based on relevance, empirical rigor, and focus on psychological factors in driving. The review was framed using the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Stress-Strain Model. Findings reveal that psychological distress (e.g., stress, fatigue) contributes to aggressive and risky driving, while higher well-being correlates with defensive, safer driving styles and improved risk perception. Defensive driving mitigates the adverse impact of poor mental health on behavior. Promising interventions include stress management training, psychological education, and real-time driver feedback systems. Future research should focus on culturally adapted, evidence-based interventions targeting high-risk groups, supporting integration of psychological screening and mental health strategies into driver education and road safety policy.
KeywordsDriving style Attitude towards road safety; psychological well-being; Road safety behavior; Traffic psychology
|
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.47679/jopp.7311472025 |
Article metricsRead: 1019 | Download: 963 |
Cite |
Full Text Download
|
References
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Amoadu, Y. D., Kusi-Appiah, E., & Mensah, K. E. (2024). The relationship between job demands, psychological well-being, and driving safety: A study of long-distance bus drivers in Ghana. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 29(1), 12–25.
Boardman, J., & Grimes, R. (2024). Psychological distress and its impact on risky driving behaviors: A longitudinal study. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 96, 53–68.
Brown, L., & Davis, P. (2022). Risky driving behaviors and road safety: A meta-analysis. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 166, 106561. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2022.106561
Cordellieri, P., Baralla, F., Ferlazzo, F., Sgalla, R., Piccardi, L., &Giannini, A. M. (2016). Gender effects in young road users on road safety attitudes, behaviors, and risk perception. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1412.
Deery, H. A. (1999). Hazard and risk perception among young novice drivers. Journal of Safety Research, 30(4), 225–236. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4375(99)00018-3
Dubey, A., & Singh, R.(2024).Driving style, psychological well-being, and road safety behavior among Indian drivers: A literature review. Journal of Traffic Psychology and Road Safety, 12(1), 45–58.
Eboli, L., Mazzulla, G., &Pungillo, G. (2017). How to define the accident risk level of car drivers by combining objective and subjective measures of driving style. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 49, 29–38.
Evans, L. (2004). Traffic safety. Bloomfield Hills, MI: Science Serving Society.
Eysenck, H. J. (1967). The biological basis of personality. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.
Friedman, M., & Rosenman, R. H. (1974). Type A behavior and your heart. New York, NY: Knopf.
Goyal, T., Sharma, A., & Kaushal, S. (2022). Awareness and practices regarding road safety rules among drivers in a North Indian city: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 9(5), 2015–2020. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20221232
Harré, N., Field, J., & Kirkwood, B. (1996). Gender differences and areas of common concern in road safety education for young children. Journal of Safety Research, 27(3), 153–163.
Hasan, M. M., & Hossain, M. I. (2021). Psychological well-being and risky driving behavior: Evidence from a developing country. International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, 11(2), 25–31. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ijpbs.20211102.01
Isler, R. B., & Newland, R. L. (2017). Happiness orientation and self-reported driving incidents among New Zealand drivers. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 46, 123–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2017.01.009
Jessor, R., Turbin, M. S., & Costa, F. M. (1995).Predicting developmental change in risky driving: The transition to young adulthood.Applied Developmental Science, 1(1), 4–16. https://doi.org/10.1207/s1532480xads0101_2
Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263–291. https://doi.org/10.2307/1914185
Keyes, C. L. M. (1998). Social well-being. Social Psychology Quarterly, 61(2), 121–140. https://doi.org/10.2307/2787065
Kumar, A., & Bhattacharya, S. (2017). Risky driving behavior among Indian youth: Role of personality traits and peer pressure. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 22(4), 430–440. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2016.1201112
Lund, I. O., &Rundmo, T. (2009). Cross-cultural comparisons of traffic safety, risk perception, attitudes, and behaviour. Safety Science, 47(4), 547–553.
Mauricio, D. (2024). Factors, prediction, and explainability of vehicle accident risk due to driving behavior through machine learning: A systematic literature review (2013–2023). Computation, 12(7), 131.
Mesken, J., Hagenzieker, M. P., &Rothengatter, J. A. (2015). Defensive driving and psychological well-being: The interplay of mental health and road safety behavior. Safety Science, 76, 85–92.
Michael, J., Singh, S. P., & Batra, A. (2014). Risky driving behavior among young drivers in India: Psychosocial factors and its implications. Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 40(2), 293–299.
Nguyen, H., & Tran, T. (2024). Automated road defect and anomaly detection for traffic safety: A systematic review. Sensors, 24(7), 2101. https://doi.org/10.3390/s24072101
Nikumb, V. B., Nandimath, V. A., & Jadhav, S. M. (2013).A study of helmet use among two-wheeler riders in an urban area. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 38(1), 1–4.
Nordfjærn, T., Šimunović, L., & Rundmo, T. (2012). Culture related to traffic safety, risk perception and accident involvement in Croatia, Norway and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Safety Science, 50(5), 1148–1155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2011.12.003
Odoom, R., Odoom, P. T., &Essandoh, M. (2023). Perceptions underlying road safety behaviours of drivers in urban Ghana – A health-belief and planned behavior perspective. Journal of Social Marketing, 13(4), 631–657.
Özkan, T., &Lajunen, T. (2020). Reckless driving and psychological well-being: The role of thrill-seeking and impulsivity. Journal of Safety Research, 73, 124–131.
Pešić, A., Stephens, A. N., Newnam, S., Čičević, S., Pešić, D., &Trifunović, A. (2022). Youth perceptions and attitudes towards road safety in Serbia. Systems, 10(5), 191.
Ramesh, R., & Kumar, P.(2021). Occupational stress and mental health among commercial vehicle drivers in urban India: A cross-sectional study. Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 25(2), 74–80. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.ijoem_85_20
Rastogi, R., Mehta, A., & Tripathi, N. (2020). Personality traits and safety rule compliance among Indian university students. Indian Journal of Psychological Science, 12(2), 75–83.
Rhodes, N., &Pivik, K. (2011). Age and gender differences in risky driving: The roles of positive affect and risk perception. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 43(3), 923–931.
Rosenstock, I. M. (1974). Historical origins of the health belief model. Health Education Monographs, 2(4), 328–335. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019817400200403
Rowden, P., Matthews, G., Watson, B., & Biggs, H. (2011). The relative impact of work-related stress, life stress, and driving environment stress on driving outcomes. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 43(4), 1332–1340.
Ryff, C. D. (1989). Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 57(6), 1069–1081. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.57.6.1069
Sagberg, F., Selpi, Bianchi Piccinini, G. F., &Engström, J. (2015). A review of research on driving styles and road safety. Human Factors, 57(7), 1248–1275.
Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. New York, NY: Free Press.
Shahar, A., Bar-David, S., &Shani, M. (2010). Risk perception and risk-taking among young novice drivers: The effects of driving style and parents’ level of involvement. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 42(6), 1949–1959.
Simons-Morton, B. G., Lerner, N., & Singer, J. (2005). The observed effects of teenage passengers on the risky driving behavior of teenage drivers. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 37(6), 973–982. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2005.04.014
Smith, A., & Gupta, R. (2023). Impact of road conditions and traffic situations on driving behavior: A systematic review. Journal of Safety Research, 84, 120–136.
Sticher, G. (2005). An investigation of attitudes towards risk factors, personal driving ability, and road safety information among rural and remote road users. Conference of Australian Institutes of Transport Research.
Sullman, M. J. M., Stephens, A. N., & Yong, M. (2017). Driving style, psychological wellbeing, and stress: A bidirectional relationship? Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 47, 65–74.
Sundar, S., Krishnan, R., & Rajkumar, R. P. (2019). Mental health status and work-related stress among auto-rickshaw drivers in a South Indian city. Journal of Mental Health and Human Behaviour, 24(1), 18–24. https://doi.org/10.4103/jmhhb.jmhhb_3_19
Taubman-Ben-Ari, O., & Skvirsky, V. (2016). The multidimensional driving style inventory a decade later: Review of the literature and re-evaluation of the scale. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 93, 179–188.
Taubman-Ben-Ari, O., Mikulincer, M., & Shaver, P. R. (2004). The multidimensional driving style inventory: Scale construct and validation. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 36(3), 323–332.
Taylor, J. E., & Dorn, L. (2006). Stress, fatigue, health, and risk of road traffic accidents among professional drivers: The contribution of physical inactivity. Annual Review of Public Health, 27, 71–91.
Ulleberg,P., & Rundmo, T. (2003). Personality, attitudes, and risk perception as predictors of risky driving behaviour among young drivers. Safety Science, 41(5), 427–443.
Useche, S. A., Cendales, B., & Montoro, L.(2020). Work stress and health problems in professional drivers: The moderating role of driving-related variables. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 68, 145–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2019.11.014
Wilde, G. J. S. (2001). Target risk 2: A new psychology of safety and health. Toronto, Canada: PDE Publications.
Yuen, K. S., Koppel, S., & Muir, C. (2014). The influence of risk perception and psychological distress on young drivers’ risky driving behaviors. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 24, 123–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2014.03.007
Zhang, L., Qian, Z., & Wang, Y. (2023). Aggressive driving and its implications for road safety: The role of psychological well-being. International Journal of Transportation Science and Technology, 12(2), 91–104.Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2025 Garima Singh, Anubhuti Dubey
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
All publications by the Utan Kayu Publishing [e-ISSN: 2715-4807, p-ISSN: 2715-4785] is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.