Road traffic culture and personality traits related to traffic safety in Turkish and Iranian samples

• Iranian drivers were more likely to conduct rule violations and speeding.
• The Iranians were also less likely to use seat belts than Turks.
• Personality traits were the strongest predictors of attitudes and driver behaviour.
• Culture also added to the explained variance in all the safety constructs in Iran.

This study aims to examine differences in cultural road traffic symbol exchange, risk propensity personality traits, risk perception, attitudes towards traffic safety and driver behaviour in a Turkish and Iranian sample. In addition we investigate the capability of personality traits and cultural road traffic symbol exchange to predict risk perception, attitudes towards traffic safety and driver behaviour in these two samples. A questionnaire survey was carried out in samples of Turkish (n = 213) and Iranian (n = 254) road users. The results showed that Iranian drivers were more likely to conduct rule violations and speeding, and were less likely to use seat belts than drivers in the Turkish sample. The Iranian sample also estimated a lower probability of road traffic accidents and also less severe health consequences of road traffic accidents. Personality traits, and particularly normlessness, were the strongest predictors of attitudes and driver behaviour in both samples. However, cultural variables also added to the explained variance in all three social cognitive constructs among Iranians. Trait theory may have a stronger applicability than cultural theory in developing middle income countries. Human factor campaigns could benefit by focusing on personality traits and, to some extent, on cultural road traffic symbol exchange to facilitate traffic safety in Iran and Turkey. Investments in development of road traffic infrastructure may not be efficient if psychological cognitions and driver behaviour are not addressed accordingly in the two countries.