Studying driving behavior and risk perception: a road safety perspective in Egypt

Roadway safety research indicates a correlation between drivers’ behavior, the demographics, and the local environment affecting the risk perception and roadway crashes. This research examines these issues in an Egyptian context by addressing three groups: private cars drivers, truck drivers, and public transportation drivers. A Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) was developed to capture information about drivers’ behavior, personal characteristics, risk perception, and involvement in crashes. The risk perception was captured subjectively by exposing participants to various visual scenarios representing specific local conditions to rank their perception of the situation from a safety perspective. Results indicated that the human factor, in particular, failure of keeping a safe following distance, was a major cause of crashes. The analyzed data was used to predict expected crash frequency based on personal attributes, such as age, driving experience, personality traits, and driving behavior, using negative binomial models. The study recommends that the DBQ technique, combined with risk perception scenarios, can be used to understand drivers’ characteristics and behaviors and collect information on the crashes they experience. Practically the study findings could provide series of recommendations to the local authorities about the introduction of the traffic management and noise control act; raising awareness of driving etiquette; setting and enforcing driving hours’ regulations, and consider specific training programs for beginners drivers. © 2022, The Author(s).