LAUSR

This study used an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB; Ajzen, 1985) incorporating moral norm and descriptive norm, to examine the beliefs, intentions, and behaviours associated with altruistic driving. This study was conducted among Australian drivers aged 17 years and older. A formative consultation (N = 9) was conducted in which participants identified two specific altruistic driving behaviours; namely, letting another driver have a car space and giving way to another driver to enter their lane, in addition to the salient behavioural, normative, and control beliefs underlying the performance of altruistic driving behaviours in general. Following this consultation, a quantitative study was conducted with an initial (Time 1) and follow-up questionnaire (Time 2) explored individuals’ intentions and behaviours associated with the performance of general, and the two specific, altruistic driving behaviours. The regression analyses from Time 1 (N = 237) provided support for the extended TPB in predicting individuals’ intention to engage in altruistic driving. At Time 2, the regression analyses revealed intention significantly predicted general altruistic driving behaviours (N = 124), letting another driver have a car space (n = 63), and giving way to another driver to enter a lane (n = 114). Furthermore, the analysis of the TPB beliefs found two beliefs to underlie the performance of general altruistic driving behaviours, namely ‘maintain traffic flow’ as an advantage associated with the behaviour being more likely to be performed, and ‘time constraints’ serving as a barrier to prevent drivers from performing the behaviour. Overall, this preliminary investigation offers insights into avenues for future road safety campaigns aimed at encouraging drivers to be more altruistic on the roads.