PERSONALITY TRAITS AS DETERMINANTS OF VOLUNTARY DISTRACTED DRIVING BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUNG DRIVERS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study investigated the role of personality traits of young drivers on voluntary distracted driving behaviour inNigeria. Ex-post factor research design was adopted and data was gathered from 137 Young driver’s licenseapplicants aged 18-25 years across two (2) randomly selected driver’s license centers in Oyo state. Data wasgathered using standardized scales of measurement on distracted driving behaviour and personality traits. More ofthe respondents 62% were males. Findings revealed that when combined, personality traits (extraversion,neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness) had no significant influence onvoluntary distracted driving behaviour among young drivers [R = .25; R2 = .06; F (5, 130) = 1.74; P > .05]. However,when tested independently, agreeableness (β = -.21; t = -2.31; P < .05) was found to independently predict voluntarydistracted driving behaviour among novice drivers. Conclusions and recommendations were drawn based on thefindings.Keywords: Personality Traits, Voluntary Distracted Driving Behaviour, Young Drivers