Abstract

Accidents are a common phenomenon on Nigerian roads. These are attributed to individual, environmental and contextual factors including excessive speeding, disobeying traffic laws, among others. This study investigates the incident cum pattern of risky driving behaviour and its Psycho-social predictors among traffic offenders in Osun state. The study was a cross-sectional survey design. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 283 participants docked in four traffic offenders’ tribunal. Driving Behaviour Survey (DBS), Big-five Personality Inventory, Awaritefe Psychological Index (API) and demographic questionnaire were used in data collection. Data was analyzed using the descriptive statistics, t-test for independent samples, multiple regression analysis at p ≤ 0.05. 75.6% traffic offenders exhibited severe to moderate risky driving behaviour. Personality traits of extraversion (β=.45; t= -6.99); agreeableness (β= - 41; t = -3.98, p<.05); conscientiousness (β=-.17; t = -3.68, p<.05); and openness to experience (β=-.27; t= -4.20), predicted risky driving behaviour, [F (5, 283) = 87.54, R2 = .61]. This study concluded that there was high incidence of risky driving behaviour among traffic offenders; Extraversion, Agreeableness personality traits were predictors of risky driving behaviour. Psychological assessment and the use of CBT and Meseron Therapy for behavioural adjustment of traffic offenders were recommended.