Measuring optimism bias among military personnel

Clara Alida Cutello*, Clare Walsh, François Remy Foerster, Yaniv Hanoch, Elizabeth Hellier

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

High numbers of young military personnel die due to road traffic collisions (RTCs). Yet, there is a paucity of research related to the contributing factors (i.e., optimism bias and willingness to take risks) associated with RTCs and the examination of road safety education program tailored at reducing young military fatalities. In order to address this gap in the literature, we examined one specific road safety educational intervention tailored for the UK military personnel and investigated their attitudes towards the program, optimism bias and willingness to take risks. Measures evaluating their optimism bias, willingness to take risks and attitudes towards the program were asked after the participants attended the road safety interventions. The results revealed that young military personnel, aged 18–25, had higher optimism bias and willingness to take risks compared to older military personnel, and that this effect diminishes with age. The results provide importance evidence related to military personnel’s attitudes to risk-taking.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)475-483
Number of pages0
JournalTransportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour
Volume82
Issue number0
Early online date8 Oct 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2021

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