A comparison of the driving behavior between remunerated and volunteer drivers

Newnam, Sharon; Watson, Barry C. · 2010 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssci.2010.09.012

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Summary

This study addresses the gap in research comparing the driving behaviors of remunerated work-related drivers and volunteer drivers. While work-related driving is a leading cause of work-related fatalities, previous studies have not examined how compensation status influences safety practices. The authors hypothesized that volunteers would report safer driving behaviors than remunerated drivers due to differences in organizational and social contexts. Specifically, they argued that remunerated drivers operate in an organizational context characterized by high uncertainty and low interdependence, leading them to prioritize production over safety. In contrast, volunteers are influenced by a social context where they internalize a prosocial role identity, which should encourage safer driving. The researchers conducted a survey involving 190 remunerated drivers and 59 volunteer drivers from two large nonprofit agencies in Australia. Participants completed a self-reported questionnaire measuring four specific unsafe driving behaviors: speeding, rule violations, inattention, and driving while tired. The study controlled for kilometers driven per week and vehicle ownership. Remunerated drivers were recruited via human resources lists, while volunteers were recruited through fleet managers. The sample included predominantly female remunerated drivers (average age 44) and predominantly male volunteers (average age 55). The results provided partial support for the hypotheses. Volunteers reported significantly safer overall driving behavior compared to remunerated drivers. Specifically, volunteers reported significantly lower levels of inattention and tiredness while driving. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding speeding or rule violations. A supplementary analysis adjusting for mileage confirmed that the differences in inattention and tiredness remained significant even when controlling for the higher average mileage of remunerated drivers. The findings suggest that the organizational context negatively impacts the safety priorities of remunerated drivers, whereas the prosocial identity of volunteers promotes safer practices regarding attention and fatigue. The authors conclude that organizations must formalize the role of the work-related driver and integrate driving safety more effectively into broader occupational health and safety systems. By clarifying role requirements and prioritizing safety, organizations can mitigate the uncertainty that leads remunerated drivers to neglect safe driving practices. The study highlights the need for objective behavioral measures in future research to address limitations associated with self-reporting and small volunteer sample sizes.

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Topics

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• sex gender
• shift work driving
• cultural cross national
• passenger effects
• bus coach
• human error taxonomy

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence
• Theoretical Contribution: theory or model, computational model