Risk Perception of the Law-Breaking Behavior of Motorcyclists

Abstract

Although motorcycles represents an alternative for users who want greater agility and mobility in a context marked by congestion and time pressure, the use of motorcycles can also be correlated with the increase in traffic accidents on urban roads. The main cause of traffic accidents are traffic violations. The debate over the factors that influence offender behavior pervades the investigation of decision-making indicators of unwanted conduct. This investigation is conducted by studying the psychometric paradigm of risk perception, which, in turn, provides the theoretical elements used in this research to examine the risk perception of offending motorcyclists. Four major traffic violations committed in Brazil and observed in accidents involving motorcyclists were analyzed: speeding, ignoring red lights, using cellular telephones while driving, and drive under the influence of alcohol. Ninety motorcyclist offenders, who attended the Department of traffic management in State of Paraná course in Curitiba, Brazil, were interviewed through a questionnaire with quantitative and qualitative questions. The survey results indicate that the committing of the offenses is related to a familiarity with risky behavior, amount of perceived risk, ideas on risk control, and associated benefits, all of which corroborate the psychometric paradigm of risk perception.

Risk; Traffic Violations; Risk perception; Risk Behavior