Risk perception and emotions regulation strategies in driving behaviour: an analysis of the self-reported data of adolescents and young adults

This paper investigates the differences in driving behaviour between males and females in a sample of 490 participants between 14 and 30 years of age. Various factors were taken into account, such as risk-perception, emotion-regulation and sensation-seeking, in determining risk behaviour. The results indicate that the dangerous behaviours most frequently exhibited, are also those which are perceived as being less of a risk. There are however significant differences in age and gender, related to strategies used to regulate emotions and a tendency to impulsive behaviour. A profile emerges in which the ability to drive without making errors goes hand in hand with processes of psychological maturation related to emotional control. Girls would appear to proceed more rapidly in this maturation process, however, they do not differ from their male counterparts as far as the resources of attention management are concerned. © 2018 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.