magazinelogo

Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Studies

ISSN Online: 3067-4972 CODEN:
Frequency: Instant publication Email: JPBS@hillpublish.com
Total View: 141276 Downloads: 8095 Citations: 1 (From Dimensions)
ArticleOpen Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jpbs.2026.06.001

Emotional “Killers” on the Road: A Study on the Impact of Stress Perception and Anxiety on Risky Driving Behaviors

Zhengjie Li

Fusion Education Group Fusion Academy Mission Viejo, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, USA. 

*Corresponding author: Zhengjie Li

Published: February 9,2026

Abstract

In the context of the rising number of road traffic accidents, and mounting urban traffic burden, attention has been on how the psychological condition of drivers affects their driving habits. The current research conducted a sample of 47 motorists in sections of China and used standardized scales in determining the perceived stress, anxiety levels, and risky driving habits of the participants in a bid to find association among the three elements. The findings indicate that perceived stress, as well as anxiety, have a significant positive relationship with hazardous driving actions, and the effect of the latter is the strongest. In particular, the greater the level of anxiety is, the more severity errors, ordinary violations, and aggressive violations have manifested themselves. The study findings offer empirical data to explain the psychological processes of risky driving and give a theoretical framework to develop driving safety intervention strategies. It is suggested that the further practical implementation should reinforce driver mental health screening, emotion control training, and care about the high-risk groups to in-crease the level of safety in the traffic.

Keywords

Perceive Stress; Anxiety; Risky Driving Habits

References

Ehring, T., Ehlers, A., & Glucksman, E. (2011). Do cognitive models help in predicting the severity of posttraumatic stress disorder, phobia, and depression after motor vehicle accidents? A prospective longitudinal study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 79(2), 270-280.

He, X., Li, C., Qian, J., Cui, H., & Wu, W. (2010). Reliability and validity of a generalized anxiety scale in general hospitals. Shanghai Archives of Psychiatry, 22(4), 200-203.

Li, H., Wang, L., & Zhang, Q. (2018). A study on the relationship between driver stress and risky driving behavior. Chinese Journal of Traffic Psychology, 12(3), 45-50.

Matthews, G. (2002). Towards a transactional ergonomics for driver stress and fatigue. Theoretical Issues in Ergonomics Science, 3(2), 195-211.

Özkan, T., & Lajunen, T. (2006). Why are there sex differences in risky driving? The relationship between sex, gender-roles, personality and risky driving. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 38(2), 254-262.

Reason, J., Manstead, A., Baxter, J., & Campbell, K. (1990). Errors and violations on the roads: A real distinction? Ergonomics, 33(10-11), 1315-1332.

Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B. W., & Löwe, B. (2006). A brief measure for assessing generalized anxiety disorder: the GAD-7. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166(10), 1092-1097.

Sümer, N. (2003). Personality and behavioral predictors of traffic accidents: Testing a contextual mediated model. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 35(6), 949-964.

Taylor, J. E., Deane, F. P., & Podd, J. V. (2007). Driving fear and driving skills: Comparison between fearful and control samples using standardised on-road assessment. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 45(4), 805-818.

Yang, T., & Hu, H. (2003). An epidemiological study on stress among urban residents in social transition period. Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, 24(9), 760-764.

Zhang, Y., Li, Y., & Wang, J. (2020). The influence of stress on driving behavior: The mediating role of emotion regulation. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 73, 231-241.

How to cite this paper

Emotional “Killers” on the Road: A Study on the Impact of Stress Perception and Anxiety on Risky Driving Behaviors

How to cite this paper: Zhengjie Li. (2026). Emotional “Killers” on the Road: A Study on the Impact of Stress Perception and Anxiety on Risky Driving Behaviors. Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Studies2(1), 1-6.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jpbs.2026.06.001