Abstract:
Proneness to Distracted Driving Behaviour (PDDB), the tendency for a driver to voluntarily or
involuntarily be distracted, is assuming an alarming dimension. The most serious form of
distracted driving is phone-related distractions. Hence, young drivers (18-25 years) are particularly
more prone to distraction-related road traffic crashes. Although the mechanisms associated with
PDDB among young drivers have been considerably addressed through interventions, this study
investigated the psycho-social predictors (locus of control, religiosity and personality traits -
extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism and openness to experience) and the
mediatory role of risk-taking on PDDB among young drivers in Ibadan.
Attribution, Planned Behaviour and Deterrence theories guided the study, while an ex-post facto
research design was adopted. Having granted the five available Drivers’ Licence Centres (DLCs)
in Ibadan equal chance, two centres were selected using a simple random sampling technique.
Data were generated from young drivers in Onireke and Oyo State Secretariat DLCs. The
purposive sampling technique was utilized in selecting 420 young drivers from those centres. A
structured questionnaire containing socio-economic variables, Susceptibility to Driver Distraction
Questionnaire (=0.85), Duke University Religion Index- (=0.68), Traffic Locus of Control
(=0.84), Risk-Taking (=0.90) and B-F10 personality (=0.65) scales was used. Data were
analysed using Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation, Multiple regression and Test of Mediation
with Structural Equation Modelling at 0.05 level of significance.
The participants’ age was 22.6 years ± 2.1. The psycho-social factors jointly predicted PDDB
among young drivers (R2 = .04; F = (5,414) = 2.13; P<.05). Further, the path analysis was used to
assess the psycho-social factors that predicted PDDB via multiple causal pathways. The
independent contribution of extraversion on risk-taking (β = .139, t= 2.816, p<.05) was significant
in Path A. Also, the independent contribution of risk-taking on PDDB (β = .327, t= 7.085, p<.01)
was significant in Path B. Further, in Path C1, only religiosity (β = .216, t= 3.323, p<.01) was
significant on PDDB. Moreover, in Path C2, religiosity (β = .204, t= 3.294, p<.01) and risk-taking
(β = .313, t= 6.752, p<.01) were significant on PDDB. Though independently, conscientiousness,
agreeableness, neuroticism and openness to experience did not predict voluntary PDDB; however,
when risk-taking propensity was introduced, extraversion predicted voluntary PDDB. Hence, the
psycho-social factors through risk-taking propensity have partial mediatory effects on PDDB.
Also, the mediatory role of risk-taking propensity, an intermediate variable, helps explain how
extraversion, conscientiousness, external locus of control, and religiosity influence PDDB.
Locus of control and religiosity are strong determinants of proneness to distracted driving
behaviour among young drivers in Ibadan. Risk-taking propensity has a mediatory influence on
proneness to distracted driving behaviour. Road traffic personnel should take cognizance of these
factors in sensitizing young drivers on the dangers of distracted driving, especially using a phone
while driving. Various driving schools and faith-based organisations should also make efforts to
lay more emphasis on risk reduction among young drivers while driving.
