Comparison of self-report and objective measures of driving behavior and road safety: A systematic review

J Safety Res. 2018 Jun:65:141-151. doi: 10.1016/j.jsr.2018.02.012. Epub 2018 Apr 17.

Abstract

Introduction: This research systematically reviewed the existing literature in regards to studies which have used both self-report and objective measures of driving behavior. The objective of the current review was to evaluate disparities or similarities between self-report and objective measures of driving behavior.

Methods: Searches were undertaken in the following electronic databases, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus, for peer-reviewed full-text articles that (1) focused on road safety, and (2) compared both subjective and objective measures of driving performance or driver safety. A total of 22,728 articles were identified, with 19 articles, comprising 20 studies, included as part of the review.

Results: The research reported herein suggested that for some behaviors (e.g., driving in stressful situations) there were similarities between self-report and objective measures while for other behaviors (e.g., sleepiness and vigilance states) there were differences between these measurement techniques. In addition, findings from some studies suggested that in-vehicle devices may be a valid measurement tool to assess driving exposure in older drivers.

Conclusions: Further research is needed to examine the correspondence between self-report and objective measures of driving behavior. In particular, there is a need to increase the number of studies which compare "like with like" as it is difficult to draw comparisons when there are variations in measurement tools used.

Practical applications: Incorporating a range of objective and self-report measurements tools in research would help to ensure that the methods used offer the most reliable measures of assessing on-road behaviors.

Keywords: Objective measures; Road safety; Self-report driving behavior; Systematic review; driving behavior.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Automobile Driving / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Safety / statistics & numerical data*
  • Self Report