Empathy, conformity, and cultural factors related to aberrant driving behaviour in a sample of Urban Turkish drivers

Few previous studies using the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire examined the link between reported driver behaviour, social influence and cultural factors. The aim of this study is to examine the role of empathy and conformity traits, as well as cultural individualism/collectivism and uncertainty avoidance, for aberrant driving behaviours in a sample of Turkish urban drivers. This questionnaire survey is based on a sample consisting of 179 drivers obtained in Izmir and Istanbul. Results showed that the traits and cultural factors were associated with driving violations and errors. The ability to conceive the emotions of others (empathy) was related to lower levels of reported driving errors and violations, whereas a tendency to amend behaviour in line with behaviour of others (conformity) was related to higher levels. Avoiding uncertainty also had a relation to more reported error conduct. Vertical individualism (striving to be distinct and for social status) was associated with higher levels of driving errors and violations, while vertical collectivism (striving for social equality and hierarchy) was related to lower levels of driving violations. The findings highlight the social pressure from other drivers to commit driving violations, and suggest that interventions aimed at reducing aberrant driving behaviours in urban Turkish settings should focus on increasing drivers' resistance to this pressure. Interventions may also benefit by stressing a more compromising and collaborative driving approach, educating drivers in stress management, and targeting specific groups and types of violations.