Development of a model to predict reported and observed safety behaviors among Chinese city taxi drivers based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED framework

BackgroundDriver behavior plays a crucial role in road safety and is considered a vital variable in accident prevention. High-risk driving is a complex behavior influenced by various factors, including individual knowledge, resources, and skills, attitude, and psychological factors.ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop a model for the simultaneous prediction of factors affecting the reported and observed safety behaviors of Chinese urban taxi drivers based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model using structural equation modeling (SEM).MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted among 1160 urban taxi drivers in Yong'an city, China. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the educational diagnosis variables of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, including knowledge, reinforcing, and enabling factors. The Driving Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) was used to assess driving attitude. The Wiener Fahrprobe (WF) technique and Driving Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) were employed to assess the observed and self-reported safety behaviors. All statistical analyzes of the data were performed using IBM SPSS-23 Statistics and AMOS-23 software.ResultsA significant relationship was found between educational diagnosis and driving attitude. Although this variable showed both direct and indirect relationships with drivers' performance, its direct relationship with driving behavior was not confirmed. However, driving attitude was directly related to driving behavior. Drivers' attitude had an indirect relationship, mediating the role of behavior with performance.ConclusionsIn summary, considering the simultaneous role of several educational diagnostic variables based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model can be an appropriate predictor of drivers' behavior and particularly performance. Therefore, the implementation of training intervention programs based on this model can improve drivers' safety performance.