from traits to speed control: engineering insights from a driving-simulator hazard scenario

Selecting an appropriate speed when approaching roadway hazards plays a crucial role in driving safety, and psychological factors can significantly influence this choice. this study aimed to investigate the direct and indirect effects of certain latent psychological variables on drivers' speed deviation before and after hazard exposure, as well as the interrelationships among these variables. data were collected from 197 licensed drivers using a driving simulator alongside two validated questionnaires—the aggressive driving questionnaire and the driver behavior questionnaire (dbq)—and analyzed through partial least squares structural equation modeling (pls-sem). results indicated that eight out of nine hypotheses were statistically significant; specifically, hostile behavior showed a strong positive association with risky driving and self-willed violations, which in turn positively influenced inexperience errors. self-willed violations were also linked to higher average speeds, although drivers reduced their speed when directly confronted with hazards. conversely, inexperience errors were associated with unsafe speed increases when facing hazards. subjective norms had no significant effect on speed deviation. the highest path coefficient (0.86) was observed between self-willed violations and inexperience errors. these findings emphasize the important roles of emotional traits, deliberate risky behaviors, and skill deficits in speed regulation, suggesting that targeted training and emotional regulation interventions could improve speed choices under hazardous driving conditions.