Highways Agency

Driver behaviours

The desk research identified four different behaviours shown by higher risk drivers: thrill seeking; aggressive driving; low monitoring of hazards; and hesitant driving. Not all higher risk drivers will show all of the behaviours but some will show more than one at different times. We developed and tested a set of questions aimed at identifying each of the driving behaviours. Then we conducted a separate analysis for drivers scoring high on the behaviour scales, in order to identify whether different interventions are likely to be successful for different types of driving behaviour.

Thrill seekers

Compared to the overall sample:

• On seeing roadworks thrill seeking drivers are less likely to:
  • slow down
  • be more vigilant
• On seeing signs for roadworks thrill seeking drivers are less likely to:
  • slow down
  • move into a lane further from roadworks
  • take extra care
  • ensure they stick to the speed limit
  • be more vigilant

Drivers showing thrill seeking behaviour appear to be less likely to adapt their behaviour to suit the roadworks environment.

In terms of initiatives to improve roadworkers’ safety, thrill seeking drivers favoured VMS, displaying the speed of vehicles when entering roadworks and variable speed limits.

Aggressive drivers

Compared to the overall sample:

• On seeing roadworks aggressive drivers are less likely to:
  • take extra care
  • drive steadily
  • ensure they stick to the speed limit
• On seeing signs for roadworks aggressive drivers are more likely to:
  • slow down
  • move into a lane further from roadworkers
  • be more vigilant

These behaviours are consistent with the aggressive driving style which involves being vigilant for gaps and lane switching to try to achieve quick journey time.

Although they may slow down, as they are less likely to adhere to the speed limit they may still be travelling too fast.

In terms of initiatives to improve roadworkers’ safety, the aggressive drivers favoured VMS, displaying the speed of vehicles when entering roadworks and a compulsory motorway driving test for all new drivers.

Low monitoring of hazards

Compared to the overall sample:

• On seeing roadworks those showing low monitoring of hazards are less likely to:
  • take extra care
  • drive steadily
  • ensure they stick to the speed limit
  • pay greater attention
• On seeing signs for roadworks those showing low monitoring of hazards are less likely to
  • take extra care
  • drive steadily
  • ensure they stick to the speed limit
  • pay greater attention

They are more likely to carry on regardless.

These behaviours are consistent with low hazard monitoring behaviour, as drivers are less aware of the roadworks or the hazard that they represent and therefore are less likely to change their behaviour.

In terms of initiatives to improve roadworkers’ safety, those showing low monitoring of hazards were most in favour of displaying the speed of vehicles at roadworks and VMS. However, although these initiatives may be successful for other driver behaviours it could be argued that they may be less successful for low hazard monitors. VMS and education initiatives may be more successful.

Hesitant drivers

Compared to the overall sample:

• On seeing roadworks and signs for roadworks hesitant drivers are more likely to undertake all of the safe driving behaviours.
• This suggests safe behaviour, but knowing their more nervous disposition these responses indicate overly cautious driving (e.g. early lane switching), which may cause accidents.
• Regarding the initiatives to improve roadworkers’ safety, hesitant drivers were supportive of a compulsory motorway driving test for all new drivers and VMS. This indicates their hesitation when driving on motorways.

Improvement Professionals

Improvement professionals thought that combinations of enforcement and education measures were most likely to be effective ways of improving roadworkers’ safety.

The two initiatives they thought were most likely to be effective were; motorway driving tests for new drivers and requiring all drivers to re-sit a test every five years.

Regarding the different driving behaviours, improvement professionals thought that the most effective measures were:

• Thrill seeking drivers
  • measuring average speed
  • a police presence
  • having to re-sit a test every five years
• Aggressive drivers
  • measuring average speed
  • a police presence
  • having to re-sit a test every five years
  • a motorway driving test for all new drivers
• Those showing low monitoring of hazards
  • education about the importance of safe driving
  • having to re-sit a test every five years
  • a motorway driving test for all new drivers
• Hesitant drivers
  • measuring average speed
  • a police presence
  • having to re-sit a test every five years
  • a motorway driving test for all new drivers