Exploration of the Factor Structure and Internal Consistency of the Aggressive Driving Behavior Questionnaire (ADBQ)

The present investigation is part of a series of studies to develop a questionnaire for assessing propensity to engage in aggressive driving behavior. The 20-item Aggressive Driving Behavior Questionnaire (ADBQ) was administered to a sample of 495 college students from two universities. The data were factor analyzed, yielding six factors accounting for 56 % of the variance and representing distinct aspects of aggressive driving. The ADBQ was also found to have a high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha =.77). Directions for future development and validation of the ADBQ are discussed. Over a decade ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited aggressive driving as a major cause of traffic accidents and injury (NHTSA, 2000). However, aggressive driving behavior and “road rage ” were identified as public safety issues long before this report. Among the earliest to reference aggressive driving was Alonzo-Fernandez (1966), in which he writes of the dangers of drivers with aggressive personalities. Although there was some periodic interest in the topic throughout the 1970s and 80s, the 1990s marked a period of growth and resurgence in interest in the area. Investigations focused on factors such as driver stress (Glendon, Dorn, Mathews, Gulian, Davies, & Debmney, 1993), situation specific anger (Deffenbacher, Oetting, & Lynch, 1994), deviant drivers ’ attitude