Personality correlates of accident-proneness in auto-rickshaw drivers in India.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the personality correlates of accident-proneness of auto-rickshaw drivers in the Indian city of Ranchi.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study in which 50 male drivers aged 18-50 years, selected randomly from a list of licensed auto-rickshaw drivers in Ranchi, were assessed with a Hindi version of Cattell's 16 Personality Factors (16-PF) Questionnaire.

RESULTS

There was a significantly higher frequency of breaking rules, crossing speed limits, substance use and a trend towards a higher frequency of carrying extra persons (i.e., more than recommended) in accident-prone drivers. There was significant negative correlation of accident-proneness with 16-PF factors such as reasoning, rule consciousness, apprehension and emotional stability.

CONCLUSION

Personality characteristics with lower scores of reasoning, rule consciousness, apprehension and emotional stability are common in commercial auto-rickshaw drivers with high accident-proneness.