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Context
Much research has found that drivers perceive
themselves as being better than average. Evans
(1991, p. 322) cites Svenson (1981) who had a group
of subjects in two countries rank their own safety
and driving skill relative to others in the group.
Seventy-six percent of the drivers considered
themselves as safer than the driver with median
safety, and 65% of the drivers considered
themselves more skilful than the driver with median
skill.
This self-perception can in part be attributed
to optimism bias - the finding that most of us have
an optimistic perception of our future. Job (1999,
p.32) says, 'we see ourselves as less likely than
our peers to suffer an early heart attack, have
cancer, AIDS or a drinking problem but more likely
to live past 80 years, own our home, and have
gifted children.' (Weinstein, 1980; 1987; Lee and
Job, 1994; Job, 1995). This perception includes
seeing ourselves as better than average drivers
(Dalzeil and Job, 1994; Job, 1990 and 1990a; Job,
Hammer and Walker, 1995; Mathews and Moran, 1986),
who are less likely than average to be booked for
drink driving (Lee and Job, 1995) or to be injured
(or killed) in a car crash (Job, 1990a; Lee et al,
1993).'
You can read a plain English translation of
optimism bias and its effects by going to Guard
against promoting optimism in An introduction
to changing driver behaviour.
Element 3 in
Unit 5 has a lesson resource which raises
drivers' awareness of this phenomenon and helps
them calibrate their perception.
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