Transactions on Transport Sciences 2025, 16(2):56-67 | DOI: 10.5507/tots.2025.014

Exploring Personality Traits and Driving Behavior: Insights from Indian Drivers

Bivina Geetha Rajendrana, Pritikana Dasb
a. Assistant Professor, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, 462003, bivinagr@manit.ac.in
b. Assistant Professor, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, 462003, pritikanadas@manit.ac.in

The study examines the relationship between personality traits and driving behavior among Indian drivers, validating the Prosocial and Aggressive Driving Inventory (PADI) in the Indian context. Data were collected from 400 licensed drivers including age, gender, income, education, riding frequency, riding exposure, driving behavior, altruism and propensity for aggression. The results confirm the reliability and validity of the Indian version of PADI. Hierarchical regression analysis reveals that altruism positively influences prosocial driving behavior, while propensity for aggression significantly predicts aggressive driving behaviors. Additionally, riding frequency negatively impacts prosocial behavior, whereas riding exposure and novice driving experience contribute to aggressive behavior. Socio-demographic factors such as gender, age, income, and education also play a role in shaping driving behaviors. These findings provide insights into driver psychology and offer valuable implications for traffic safety interventions, policy development, and behavioral training programs tailored to the Indian context.

Keywords: Prosocial; Aggression; Altruism; Anger; Psychology; driving

Received: January 5, 2025; Revised: May 1, 2025; Accepted: June 3, 2025; Published: September 15, 2025  Show citation

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Rajendran, B.G., & Das, P. (2025). Exploring Personality Traits and Driving Behavior: Insights from Indian Drivers. Transactions on Transport Sciences, 16(2), 56-67. doi: 10.5507/tots.2025.014
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