Protective Attitudes Related to Road Safety Among Drivers in Villavicencio (Colombia)

Road insecurity is a topic of interest for society, due to its implications and consequences in terms of social, economic, and public health costs. This paper aimed to determine the level of protective attitudes towards road safety in drivers from Villavicencio, Colombia. For this purpose, an 18-item instrument was used, measuring risk behaviors, preventive behaviors, and emotions while driving. The sample was non-randomized, with 1018 car, bus, motorcycle, taxi, van, or truck drivers. Results showed high internal reliability of the instrument and a factorial structure with four dimensions. Also, male, taxi, and van/truck drivers, people with low educational levels, or with a marital status of free union showed the highest levels of risk behaviors and excessive speed. The anger level while driving was higher for divorced people. Although conditions such as age, sex, marital status, level of education, and factors such as vehicle type, vehicle technical issues, and environment and road design have some influence on drivers' behaviors, it is ultimately the subjective element in driving the key variable explaining road accidents. However, unfavorable road safety behaviors can be modified through a training program based on an attitude change model.