Personality, risk cognitions and motivation related to demand of risk mitigation in transport among Norwegians

Abstract

There is insufficient knowledge regarding the role of personality traits, transport-related risk cognitions and safety motivation for demand for transport risk mitigation. The aim of this study is to test a model aimed to predict public demand for transport risk mitigation by these psychological risk constructs. A mailed self-completion questionnaire survey was conducted in a random sample of the Norwegian population aged 18–65 years obtained from the Norwegian population registry (n = 1947). Results from structural equation modelling supported the hypothesis that sensation seeking, normlessness, risk cognitions and transport-related worry had mediated associations with demand for transport risk mitigation through safety motivation. There were no differences in the strength of associations related to gender and age. The findings are discussed in relation to personality-entailed measures as well as the link between cognitive and emotional approaches to transport risk.