Psychology behind Reckless Driving

“Speed thrills but kills”—a phrase we often hear, yet the allure of reckless driving persists despite the known dangers. Every year, reckless driving results in thousands of deaths and injuries worldwide. This article explores why people continue to engage in such risky behavior, delving into the psychological and social factors that drive individuals to disregard safety for the sake of thrill. Understanding these motivations is crucial for promoting safer driving practices and reducing road traffic accidents.

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What accounts to Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving is when the driver disregards many traffic rules and road safety regulations. Reckless driving is a serious punishable offence. Typically, reckless driving includes

• Speeding
• Ignoring traffic lights
• Changing lanes abruptly.
• Wrong way driving
• Street racing- it is illegal to race on streets with other drivers.
• Tailgating – a driver does not leave a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him/her to avoid collision in case the front vehicle suddenly hits the brakes.
• Distracted driving – this could be caused by taking calls while driving, texting, blaring music which muffles the honking of other vehicles, eating or multitasking while driving.
• Driving when intoxicated.

World Health Organisation (WHO) says that approximately 1.19 million people die each year in road traffic crashes. 20-50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries and end up with a disability. National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data in 2021 revealed that, throughout India reckless driving claims more lives than murder. (Nearly, 49,449 people were killed in hit and run incidents whereas murders was not even half of this number!)

Why do People usually Speed?

Some accidents are caused by speeders who are rushing somewhere. Though they have a genuine reason or an emergency situation to rush, reckless driving is still not permissible. But most people who speed do it for the thrill and fun they experience at the cost of breaking rules. Only an authorised emergency vehicle can exercise its privileges. In India, the Motor Vehicles Act, of 1988, has provisions that allow ambulances to bypass certain traffic rules, but they must adhere to specific conditions. Emergency situations gives an ambulance right to drive faster but still must keep an eye on public safety.

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Many psychological factors come into play when a person floors it.

• Anger
• Over confidence- familiar route gives a driver an extra confidence to drive faster.
• Thrill

Anger

A person with high frustration or irritable temperament displaces their anger on to the road. It’s either through rash driving, road rage like honking continuously or cursing other drivers. Some angry drivers make aggressive driving manoeuvres. No, it doesn’t stop there, they pull over and get into a physical altercation as well. Purposely blocking other vehicle or making obscene gestures are other things that they do which cause nuisance on the road. A driver’s anger could stem from their surroundings like Heavy traffic or when other drivers overtake wrongly.

The other factors are from their own personal life, the stress they’re going through get reflected when they sit behind the wheel or hold the handle bar of their bike. Their driving style becomes aggressive, reckless and dangerous not only for themselves but also for others. As the Yale University psychologists John Dollard and colleagues introduced the ‘frustration- aggression hypothesis’ which explains a lot about reckless driving. This simple theory states—’ frustration always causes aggressive behaviour and aggression is always due to prior frustration.’

Read More: Anger: A Healthy Emotion or a Harmful Reaction?

Thrill seekers on road

Adrenaline junkies showcase their stunts on the road endangering everyone’s lives. People who seek thrill lack fear and also lack a sense of responsibility. They enjoy taking risks and rejoice while breaking the law. These sensation seekers often become repeat offenders because careless, fast driving becomes their habitual way of driving. Young offenders especially men, think it is socially acceptable as their friends also drive fast. They try to match or imitate them.

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Young drivers love to show off their tricks and skills in their vehicle and little are they bothered about safety. Science says, speeding gives an adrenaline rush and adrenaline in turn gives the excitement. Such activities also release serotonin, and dopamine which is a feel good hormone. This ‘hormonal kick’ gives them a sense of complete freedom, a satisfaction of exploration and a purpose. They celebrate the momentary highs and
even get a sense of accomplishment at the cost of taking life endangering risks. For some people the rush they get from such driving is a form of escape from their hard realities in life.

This recklessness increases their tolerance to risks and they slowly become numb to danger. They keep seeking higher and higher levels of risk and
excitement. They constantly chase the euphoria these hormones give. At last, they almost become like alcoholics and drug abusers except here it is not a substance they’re addicted to but to the high feeling reckless driving gives them.

High sensation seeking (HSS) personality traits-

In the university of Delaware psychologist Morton Zuckerman identified four distinct traits in HSS person-

• Thrill and adventure seeking
• Disinhibition
• Experience seeking
• Boredom susceptibility

These traits are commonly found in people who indulge in reckless driving.

People with BPD

Borderline Personality Disorder tend to show impulsive and dangerous behaviours like reckless driving. And people with ASPD- Anti-Social Personality Disorder also often express reckless disregard for their safety, safety of others and for the law. They are consistently irresponsible and lack remorse.

Impact of Social Media on young minds

Social media trends, particularly those from moto vloggers and untrained experimentalists, can be highly destructive. These trends often encourage risky behavior, providing dangerous ideas for young people. They might emulate these behaviors just to gain a few likes and views, putting themselves in perilous situations. And social media is responsible for many distracted drivers and fatal accidents.

Aftermath of Recklessness

WHO reports that more than 90% of road crashes are suffered by people from low socio-economic status. One tragic unfortunate accident leaves a person with a physical disability he is got to live with for the rest of his life. Life turns upside down making their life goals and dreams a question mark. These injuries cause a lot of burden in terms of severe economic loss to families and the nation as a whole! For most countries road accidents costs 3% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Improve your driving

• Alcohol compromises both your cerebellum- motor functions and it also affects your prefrontal cortex which is responsible for your judgement and thinking capability. Do not drive when you are inebriated. It is as simple as that.
• Thrill seekers can have fun elsewhere but strictly not on the roads.
• Practice defensive driving where you anticipate danger and you’re fully aware that other drivers could make mistakes.
• Always expect delays in your route and start early to reach your destination on time.
• When you’re on a long drive, take frequent breaks to stretch yourself. As continuous driving can cause fatigue and frustration.
• Make use of technology that assists to monitor your speed and thereby you can avoid the risk of speeding.
• Be focused, make sure you look at your mirrors while driving.
• Make use of navigation tools in your phone to assist you about traffic jams and to keep a note on the estimated time of arrival.
• If you’re sleep deprived or feeling off, make use of public transport.

If you witness reckless driving-

• Pull over and call the police.
• Make note of the licence plate and the vehicle to describe it in your complaint.
• Safety measures
  • Strict penalties for violating road rules will deter people from speeding.
  • Improving road infrastructure with wide road, repairing pot holes, well- designed intersection can reduce accidents.
  • Awareness campaigns to educate on the importance of traffic rules, vehicle maintenance, seat belts, helmets and safe driving practices.
  • Driver training programs focusing on defensive driving techniques, dangers of distracted and drunken driving.

WHO as the secretariat for the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 aims to bring down road traffic deaths by 50% by 2030. Driving is a small and simple joy for some of us. A peaceful activity many like to do. For some it is just a way to reach from A to B. Whatever the case may be, we all have people waiting for us at home and the person driving beside you also has her loved ones waiting for her to get back home safely. It’s our duty to abide the speed limits and violation of any small rule will only have big repercussions. Fasten your seat belt, follow the traffic rules, drive safe! Because one mistake could result in a life changing tragedy.

Let’s remind ourselves of it every day before getting in a vehicle—”Fast drive could be our last drive!”

Obey rules. Speed down. Mind clear. Please drive safely!

Share this article to all the people you love to remind them about road safety.