Transport company safety climate-The impact on truck driver behavior and crash involvement

Traffic Inj Prev. 2017 Apr 3;18(3):306-311. doi: 10.1080/15389588.2016.1199865. Epub 2016 Jun 21.

Abstract

Objective: The present study investigated the relationships between safety climate and driving behavior and crash involvement.

Methods: A total of 339 company-employed truck drivers completed a questionnaire that measured their perceptions of safety climate, crash record, speed choice, and aberrant driving behaviors (errors, lapses, and violations).

Results: Although there was no direct relationship between the drivers' perceptions of safety climate and crash involvement, safety climate was a significant predictor of engagement in risky driving behaviors, which were in turn predictive of crash involvement.

Conclusions: This research shows that safety climate may offer an important starting point for interventions aimed at reducing risky driving behavior and thus fewer vehicle collisions.

Keywords: DBQ; Safety climate; aberrant driving behavior; climate; crash involvement; trucks.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Vehicles / statistics & numerical data*
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Safety*
  • Self Report*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires