Revealing The Habits Of Car Drivers Who Have Characteristics

Photo illustration. (Doc. Freepic)

JAKARTA - If you often drive on the streets often observe the oddities other drivers do that sometimes make your head shake. In fact, this oddity not only endangers himself but also other drivers around him. Take for example, overtake the car in front of him suddenly, or suddenly slow down on the toll road because his cellphone received a notification, isn't it dangerous?

However, there is a recent study that examines this matter showing that there is one driving habit that can indicate that someone with such behavior may have a psychopathic psyche.

Researchers from the University of Regensburg, reported by the Daily Mail, May 15, found significant correlations between psychopathic traits and the use of cell phones while driving. Those who have a high score for the properties of the dark personality 'Machiavellianism, crissisism, and psychopaths' are much more likely to use their cell phones while driving and feel innocent about it.

This study opens your eyes that simple habits such as using a cellphone while driving can reveal a lot about a person's personality. So, next time you see someone busy with their phone on the street, maybe not just indifference to safety.

The study collected data from 989 drivers in Germany who took part in the survey to measure the three dark personality traits, on a scale of one to five. As a result, 61 percent of participants admitted to using their cell phones while driving at least occasionally.

Careless And Traffic Violations

The study also found that drivers with high levels of psychopaths have a greater chance of a third of traffic violations in the last 12 months than on average. For example, for someone with a minimum psychopathic score of one, the chances of them committing traffic violations are 9.89 percent. However, for those with the highest psychopathy score (4.33), this probability soared by 56 percent.

In addition, people with high scores on disability and psychopaths tend to feel less guilty about their problematic driving behavior. Those with Machiavellianism, which is often associated with manipulative behavior, are more likely to try to hide their cell phone usage.

This study also highlighted the problematic smartphone use (PSU), namely excessive use of mobile phones to the point of disturbing other aspects of life. PSU turns out to be the strongest variable in using mobile phones while driving, regardless of other personality traits. Those who answer positively to questions such as "When I get bored while driving, I spend time with my phone" tend to have a higher PSU.

Meanwhile in the United States (US), data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that in 2019, 3,142 people died in car accidents in the US due to driver negligence, and 422 of them were caused by cell phone use.

The researchers suggest reducing the level of PSU in daily life, so it also affects when driving and PSUs should be the focus on public safety interventions.