Personality profiles of Lithuanian traffic offenders

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify personality profiles in the sample of traffic offenders. 688 traffic offenders (611 males and 72 females) participated in the study. 363 respondents have lost driving license because of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), 214 - because of speeding and 106 - because of other traffic violations. The age ranged from 18 to 79 (mean in males group - 31.69 years, in females - 30.69). Various personality traits were measured by three different instruments: Big Five Inventory (BFI), motor-impulsiveness subscale of Barratt impulsiveness scale (BIS-11) and aggression scale. The results showed that male traffic offenders are more aggressive, but females have higher openness and agreeableness. Also, the main findings revealed that two personality profiles could be drawn in the sample of Lithuanian traffic offenders. These (both males and females) who have higher extraversion, higher agreeableness, higher conscientiousness and higher openness, are characterized as having low-risk personality profile. However, those (both males and females) who have higher impulsivity, aggression and neuroticism, could be characterized as having high-risk personality profile. 50.4% of male traffic offenders and 31.9% of female traffic offenders have got into low-risk personality profile and 49.6% of male traffic offenders and 68.1% of female traffic offenders have had high-risk personality profile. Personality profiles are not significant enough to predict various roads traffic rules violations in drivers' males group. However, high-risk personality profile allows predict more various road traffic rules violations in drivers' females group.