Differences Between the Self-Assessed and Observed Level of Aggressivity of Young Drivers in Traffic – A Pilot Study

Abstract

The aim of this research is to show that the level of self-reported aggressive behavior may differ significantly from the real level of the aggressive behavior in traffic. After developing this pilot study we agreed that a much more complex research should be conducted. After considering previous research we decided to explore the gender variable to identify the differences between what the subjects reported and the real level observed in the experimental group. The hypothesis that implies gender differences was denied, confirming the null hypothesis. The results of this pilot study lead to the conclusion that statistically there are significant differences between what is reported and the more severe than that, perceived, and the real level of risk that drivers generate in the social environment of road traffic. We are proposing a broader exploration of these hypotheses in a study that encompasses a more varied context and whose results can be more prominent.

Keywords: fake good, aggressiveness, driver behavior, empathy, road safety

JEL Classification: O35