Young drivers' overestimation of their own skill—an experiment on the relation between training strategy and skill

doi:10.1016/0001-4575(95)00066-6

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Volume 28, Issue 2, March 1996, Pages 243-250

https://doi.org/10.1016/0001-4575(95)00066-6 Get rights and content

Abstract

Young drivers' accident involvement may be explained by a number of different factors, one of which is that they tend to overestimate their skill in driving a car. This study is based upon the assumption that the degree of overestimation is related to the type of training the driver has received. In an experiment, two different strategies for training have been compared with regard to their influence on estimated and actual driving skill, as well as the drivers' degree of overestimation of their own skill. One of the strategies, used in the “skill” group was to make the learner as skilled as possible in handling a braking and avoidance manoeuvre in a critical situation. The other strategy, used in the “insight” group was to make the driver aware of the fact that his own skill in braking and avoidance in critical situations may be limited and unpredictable. The experiment was carried out at the Bromma driving practice area in Stockholm. Low friction has been simulated by using “Skid Car” equipment. Fifty-three learner drivers were randomly divided into two groups. Each of the groups was taught on the basis of one of the strategies. The training session was 30 minutes long. One week later, the drivers returned to take part in a test of their estimated and actual skill. The “skill” group estimated their skill higher than the “insight” group. No difference was found between the groups regarding their actual skill. The results confirm the main hypothesis that the skill training strategy produces more false overestimation than the insight training strategy.

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PaperYoung drivers' overestimation of their own skill—an experiment on the relation between training strategy and skill

Abstract

Accid. Anal. Prev.

Accid. Anal. Prev.

Accid. Anal. Prev.

Accid. Anal. Prev.

Accid. Anal. Prev.

Accid. Anal. Prev.

Accid. Anal. Prev.

Accid. Anal. Prev.

Acta Psychol.

Compulsory seat belt usage and driver risk taking behaviour

Human Factors

Speeds on two-lane rural roads: A multiple regression analysis

Integrated driver education. An experiment with systematic co-operation between traffic schools and private teachers (in Swedish)

Road safety improvement in large companies. An experimental comparison between different measures

Accid. Anal. Prev.

Decision processes and risk-taking in traffic: Driver response to the onset of yellow light

J. Appl. Psychol.

Paper
Young drivers' overestimation of their own skill—an experiment on the relation between training strategy and skill