Behaviour of Young Drivers in Traffic in the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

Young drivers represent one of the highest-risk categories of traffic participants. Characteristic of this group is the presence of specific behavioral patterns and attitudes that often do not comply with safety standards. The aim of this study is to analyze the behavior of young drivers in traffic in the Republic of Serbia. The data collection method was conducting a survey via an electronic questionnaire. The Behaviour of Young Novice Drivers Scale was used. The questionnaire contains 44 items grouped into five categories examining different aspects of risky behavior. The categories include transitional violations, fixed violations, misjudgment, exposure to risk, and the influence of driver mood. An additional 13 questions used for analysis examine demographic characteristics of the respondents, such as gender, age, type of driver’s license, etc. The sample consisted of 404 respondents aged 17-30 years (M = 22.95), of both genders. The obtained data were processed using the SPSS statistical package. The research results indicate significant differences in the behavior of young drivers who possess a probationary driving license compared to those who possess a full driving license. Respondents with a full driving license exhibited a higher level of risky behavior in the subscales of transient violations and risk exposure, compared to respondents who possess a probationary driving license.