Differential moderating effect of locus of control on effect of driving experience in young male and female drivers

Investigations of relationships between the personality variable, locus of control (LOC, Rotter, 1966) and driver behaviour or accidents have returned contrasting results. Literature review suggests results depend on gender or accident experience of participants, suggesting these factors interact with LOC to influence driving. Relationships were investigated in terms of influence on the eight driving styles of the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory (MDSI, Taubman-Ben-Ari, Mikulincer, & Gillath, 2004) in young drivers (18–29 years). Gender and LOC differences in driving styles previously related to accidents were proposed. It was also proposed that driving experience influences driving style, and LOC influences effect of driving experience. Gender differences were found for dissociative, anxious, patient, risky, angry and high-velocity styles. Women had more external LOC than men. Driver stress styles increased with more external LOC, but reduced with increased driving experience, but so did patient style. High-velocity style increased with experience. Controlling for LOC revealed important gender differences in effect of experience: positive effects for men (reducing angry and high-velocity, increasing carefulness) and negative effects for women (increasing angry and higher velocity, reducing carefulness). Findings suggest negative influence of high internal LOC on young men in terms of its interaction with experience.