Walton, D., & Bathurst, J. (1998). An exploration of the perceptions of the average driver& #39;s speed compared to perceived driver safety and driving skill.

This study investigates the self-enhancement bias in driver attitudes, the finding that drivers rate themselves better than the average driver on safety and skill perceptions (Svenson, 1978Svenson, 1981; McCormick et al., 1986). A sample of 86 New Zealand drivers were asked their perceptions of their own and others’ speeds in two conditions, 50 km/h and 100 km/h. The results established the self-enhancement bias for speed and safety, but not skill. Between 85% and 90% of drivers claimed to drive slower than the `average driver.’ A new methodological technique derived from Harré and Gillett (1994) was used to investigate the direction of the self-enhancement bias. The results support the Downward Comparison Theory (Wills, 1981) because drivers consider other drivers negatively, rather than exaggerating their self-perceptions.

 

 

Walton, D., & Bathurst, J. (1998). An exploration of the perceptions of the average driver’s speed compared to perceived driver safety and driving skill. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 30(6), 821-830.

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0001-4575(98)00035-9