HOW LOCUS OF CONTROL, NEED FOR AFFILIATION, THE BIG FIVE FACTORS, AND PERCEIVED RISK RELATE TO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

Abstract

The National Safety Council (2010) estimates that at least 100,000 car crashes every year involve drivers who are texting. However, 52 percent of US drivers ages 18-29 have reported texting or e-mailing while driving at least once in the last 30 days (Novelli, 2010). In order to effectively deter drivers from text messaging, it is imperative to understand why drivers engage in this behavior. This study surveyed college students regarding texting while driving behaviors (initiating texts, replying to texts, reading texts, or not texting while driving) and texting frequencies. The study measured participant's locus of control, need for affiliation, and Big Five Factor affinities, as well as their perceived risk of texting while driving. Locus of control orientation, extraversion, agreeableness, emotional stability, openness to experience, and perceived risk were found to be related to texting while driving.