Citation

Zhang W, Hu Z, Feng Z, Ma C, Wang K, Zhang X. Traffic Injury Prev. 2018; 19(5): 488-494.

Affiliation

a School of Automobile and Traffic Engineering, Hefei University of Technology , Hefei 230009 , Anhui Province , China.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15389588.2018.1453134

PMID

29630395

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Driving speed is a major concern for driving safety under reduced visibility conditions. Many factors affect speed selection in low visibility, but few studies have been conducted examining drivers' characteristics, particularly in China. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between drivers' demographic information, driving ability and speed choice in low visibility conditions using a sample of Chinese drivers.

METHODS: A self-designed driving ability scale was used to assess driving ability in reduced visibility conditions. The reliability and validity of 306 gathered questionnaires were examined in this paper, and a structural equation model (SEM) was built to explore the predictors of drivers' speed selection behavior under reduced visibility conditions and to measure the relationships among various factors.

RESULTS: Age and driving experience have no direct relationship to speed selection behavior in reduced visibility, but the frequency of using expressway and annual mileage are significantly related to the speed on roads that have a speed restriction of 80 km/h or 120 km/h. Under reduced visibility conditions, driving ability has a significant effect on speed selection behavior, and driving skill (DS) is most influential on speed selection behavior on roads with a speed limit of 120 km/h; otherwise, the effect of risk perception (RP) does not differ by speed choice on three roads with different speed limits. Driving speed in good weather also has a positive influence on speed selection behavior in low visibility.

CONCLUSION: Driving ability is directly associated with speed selection in reduced visibility conditions, and some demographic data indirectly influence speed selection. This study provides useful recommendations for drivers' training programs to reduce casualties from accidents in low visibility conditions.

Language: en

Keywords

driving ability; personal characteristic; reduced visibility; speed selection behavior; structural equation model (SEM); traffic safety