VALIDATION OF THE DRIVER BEHAVIOUR QUESTIONNAIRE OF DRIVERS IN BULGARIA

Iliev, D.; Ilieva, D. · 2025 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.15547/tjs.2025.s.02.015

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Summary

This study addresses the need to validate the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) for use among Bulgarian drivers, marking the first application of this instrument in a non-English-speaking country. The DBQ is a widely recognized tool for measuring aberrant driving behaviors associated with increased crash risk, but previous research has shown inconsistent factor structures across different cultures and languages. The authors aimed to evaluate the construct validity of a 46-item version of the DBQ using confirmatory factor analysis to determine its suitability for assessing driving behaviors in this specific demographic. The research utilized an online survey to collect data from 160 licensed motor vehicle drivers in Bulgaria. The sample consisted of 73.125% males and 26.875% females, aged between 18 and 61, with driving experience ranging from 1 to 5 years. Participants rated their driving behaviors on a six-point scale. The statistical analysis included Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with Varimax rotation to explore underlying dimensions and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with maximum likelihood estimation to test model fit. The study examined the internal validity of the questionnaire and assessed goodness-of-fit indices such as the Comparative Fit Index (CFI) and Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA). The results identified a seven-factor structure that explained 48.72% of the variance. The factors were labeled as “lack of skills,” “driver perception,” “road aggression,” “distracted driving,” “neglected attitude,” “arrogance,” and “neatness.” Confirmatory factor analysis supported this 46-item scale within the Bulgarian sample, with fit indices indicating a relatively good model fit (RMSEA = 0.0603, CFI = 0.733). Descriptive statistics revealed that the most frequently reported behaviors included impatience when overtaking slow drivers, tailgating, and missing highway exits. These common behaviors were primarily associated with road rage, arrogance, driver perception, and distracted driving factors. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to the psychometric properties of the DBQ in a new cultural context. The findings suggest that the seven-factor structure effectively explains driving behavior data among Bulgarian drivers, supporting the instrument's utility for identifying risky driving patterns. The authors conclude that this validated tool can help identify specific driver subgroups for targeted interventions and inform the development of suitable safety measures. The study highlights the importance of considering cultural and linguistic factors when applying standardized behavioral questionnaires, providing a foundation for future research on occupational and road safety in non-English-speaking populations.

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Topics

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• dbq psychometrics
• human error taxonomy

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence
• Methodological Resource: validation psychometrics
• Theoretical Contribution: computational model