Drivers’ tendency to commit different aberrant driving behaviours in comparison with their perception of how often other drivers commit the same behaviours

• Drivers’ self-reported tendency to commit different aberrant driving behaviours.
• Drivers’ perception of how often other drivers commit different aberrant driving behaviours.
• 28 DBQ-items are compared (own behaviour compared with perceived behaviour of other drivers).
• Own behaviour minus perceived behaviour of other drivers as a clue for social acceptability.

The aim of the present study is to examine the difference between drivers’ self-reported tendency to commit different aberrant driving behaviours in comparison with their perception of how often other drivers commit the same behaviours measured by the driver behaviour questionnaire (DBQ) in Sweden and Turkey, respectively. A sample of 228 Swedish and 302 Turkish drivers completed a questionnaire including questions based on the DBQ. The results showed that in both Sweden and Turkey, the participants reported committing aberrant driving behaviours less frequently than their perception of how often other drivers commit the same behaviours. The size of this difference does, however, vary depending on the DBQ-item and it is suggested that this variation could be used as a clue for understanding social acceptability.