Predicting safe driving behaviour in professional drivers: a theory-based validation of cognitive and personality tests

Every year about 50,000 people die on German roads solely as a result of truck and bus accidents. Although the human factor plays a substantial role in the majority of cases, there are currently very few empirical analyses indicating how accurately test procedures predict the safe driving capabilities of professional drivers. The present study is a theory-driven examination of the criterion-related validity of performance and personality tests on the basis of the GDE-matrix. 126 bus drivers first completed an extensive test before carrying out three different driving exercises: a standardized driving test, an obstacle course and a manoeuvring course. The results of the study revealed satisfactory criterion-related validities, and the various different test procedures were relevant in predicting safe driving capabilities in the individual exercises. Against this background it is recommended that the most comprehensive possible tests taking the relevant factors into account should be carried out in assessing the suitability of professional drivers. (A) Language: de