Abstract

ABSTRACT The study investigated locus of control and risk-taking propensity as predictors of distracted driving behaviour among Nigerian students. An ex-post facto research design was adopted and data was gathered from 176 university students in the Ibadan metropolis. Data was gathered using standardized scales of measurement hat include, Locus of control, Risk taking propensity and Distracted Driving Behaviour. Age distribution revealed that more of the respondents 20.5% were 19 years old, while the least age was 18 years (7.4%), with an overall average age of 21.6 (SD = 2.3). There were 166 males and 60 females that participated in the study. Findings revealed that distracted driving behaviour had a significant and positive relationship with risk-taking propensity (r = .24; P < .01) meaning that students with high levels of risk-taking propensity reported higher distracted driving behaviour than those with the low level of risk-taking propensity [t (174) = 2.20; P < .05]. Based on the findings, it was concluded that personality factors such as locus of control, particularly those with internal locus of control, should be properly educated on dangers of distracted driving and advised to avoid such behaviour in their driving experience. It was then recommended that FRSC or agency saddled with road traffic management should take cognisance of personality factors into consideration before issuing drivers’ licence.