Assessing the impact of traffic climate and risk-taking attitude on the risky riding behaviour of young motorcyclists in Vietnam

Abstract

This research investigates the interrelationships between traffic climate perceptions, risk-taking attitudes, and motorcyclists' riding behaviours in Vietnam using the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) and Traffic Climate Scale (TCS). The study, conducted among young motorcyclists aged 18-24, explores how perceptions of traffic climate, characterised by functionality, external affective demands, and internal requirements, influence risk-taking attitudes and subsequent riding behaviours. The analysis reveals that external affective demands positively correlate with higher risk-taking attitudes, whereas internal requirements are inversely related. Increased risk- taking attitudes predict frequent riding errors, violations, and lapses. These findings underscore the complexity of factors contributing to hazardous riding behaviours and highlight the need for targeted interventions that address both individual attitudes and perceived traffic conditions to improve road safety. The study emphasises the critical role of traffic climate in shaping riding behaviours, providing essential insights for developing effective road safety strategies in developing countries.