In a recent maritime incident involving the Bunun Queen and the Thunder, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed a collision to distractions, primarily cellphone use. While distracted driving, be it on water, in the air, or on land, is often associated with handheld devices, research increasingly points to the role of personality traits as contributing factors to potentially disastrous distractions.
Despite safety systems in transportation-related equipment, distractions remain a prevalent issue across various sectors, leading to accidents, injuries, and significant economic costs. In the U.S. alone, distracted driving resulted in 3,522 deaths and over 360,000 injuries in 2021, with associated costs estimated at $340 billion in 2019.
Understanding Personality Traits in Distracted Driving
Research by Janeth Gabaldon and Suman Niranjan highlights the significance of personality traits in distracted driving behavior (DDB), particularly among drivers aged 18-26. Four common personality traits—extroversion, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and agreeableness—stand out in influencing a driver’s propensity for distractions.
Extroversion:
Extroverts are more prone to cognitive errors, leading to a higher likelihood of DDB.
The inclination arises from attempting to handle multiple secondary tasks simultaneously, resulting in errors like missed turns or tailgating.
Neuroticism:
High levels of neuroticism correlate with an increased tendency for distracted driving.
Emotional instability and anxiety may drive individuals with this trait to engage in distracting behaviors like smartphone use while driving.
Conscientiousness:
Conscientious drivers exhibit a reduced likelihood of becoming distracted.
Organized and goal-oriented personalities contribute to careful execution of tasks, minimizing cognitive failures that lead to distractions.
Agreeableness:
Agreeable individuals are less prone to distractions and follow driving regulations.
Higher levels of cooperation and trust contribute to adherence to safety measures, reducing the risk of accidents.
The Personality Dilemma and Future Implications
While personality assessments are commonly used in various corporate settings, applying them to address distracted driving poses challenges. Questions arise regarding standard definitions for personality types and concerns about discrimination in insurance rates, hiring decisions, and workplace practices.
However, as research advances, identifying stable personality traits associated with distracted driving becomes crucial for predicting behaviors in transportation workers. This knowledge can contribute to ensuring alertness, timeliness, and safety, whether on the road, in the air, or on water, ultimately preventing collisions and minimizing risks.
