Analysis of The Lebanese Driver's Behavior at The Onset of Yellow Lights at Signalized Intersections

Abstract

Intersections are critical points within the highway system at which the risk of crashes increases. This study seeks to better understand the behavior of the Lebanese driver at an intersection by examining the relationship between his/her decisions and psychological attributes. A driving simulator and a self-reporting personality questionnaire are used to assess the decision-making at the onset of the yellow. The driving simulator measures driving outcomes such as speed, braking, and throttle across four different intersections. The questionnaire helps measuring demographics and psychological traits such as mindfulness, impulsiveness, anxiety driving, and safe driving. A total of 102 participants completed the questionnaire as well as the driving simulator test. Hierarchical clustering is used to classify drivers into four groups according to their driving outcomes: Driving Styles (DS): 1 or safest drivers, 2 or safe drivers, 3 or speed demons, and 4 or aggressive drivers. These driving styles moderate the relation between the psychological traits and drivers’ decision whether to stop or to pass at each intersection. Results show that mindfulness was highly related to DS 1 drivers’ decision at the first intersection, impulsiveness and anxiety driving are also related to DS 3 drivers’ decision at the third, and safe driving has a significant influence on DS 1 drivers at the third. These findings provide support for research linking driving performance and personality factors and can have implications on future driving enforcement and education for the Lebanese drivers.