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Validity of self-reported driving: It all depends on how and when you ask
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Validity of self-reported driving: It all depends on how and when you ask

Nicole J. Eng, Kathryn N. Devlin, Jocelyn Ang, Molly Split, Rachel Lyons and Maria T. Schultheis
Transportation research. Part F, Traffic psychology and behaviour, v 116, 103417
Jan 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trf.2025.103417
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Self-report Driving Risky behaviors Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ)
The accuracy of self-reported driving behaviors, particularly in relation to real-world risky driving in realistic settings over time, remains unclear. This study aimed to examine whether self-reports remain consistent over time, whether they predict real-world driving behaviors, and whether that relationship changes over time. Self-reported driving behaviors included a global rating score of driving ability and four components of the Driver Behavior Questionnaire (lapses, errors, ordinary violations, and aggressive violations). At three separate timepoints [baseline (N = 47), 6-month (N = 43), and 12-month (N = 38)], we obtained these self-ratings along with real-world risky behaviors recorded using the Lytx video telematics platform over a 28-day period. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine whether self-reported driving behaviors changed over time and whether they predicted real-world driving. Neither self-reported nor objective driving behaviors significantly changed over time. Aggressive violations, specifically at the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits, and ordinary violations at the 12-month visit significantly predicted real-world risky driving. Consistent with the literature, these findings indicate that self-reported driving behaviors do not change over time. Aggressive violations, reported at follow-up visits, may be the most indicative of overall real-world risky driving. Their value at follow-up visits specifically may be because participants are more attuned to these behaviors after an initial period of observation. Additionally, aggressive violations are commissive behaviors with a strong negative emotional valence, which could cause them to be remembered better than omissive behaviors and those with a more neutral emotional valence. These results can potentially influence driving assessments and interventions.

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Web of Science research areas
Psychology, Applied
Transportation
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