The role of morality in risky driving behaviors of young adults: A moderation model

Road accidents remain a significant cause of mortality among young individuals globally, often stemming from risky behaviors like texting while driving and driving under the influence of substances. This study investigates the interplay between morality, risk perception, and behavior, proposing a moderation model. A cohort of 486 young adults aged 18–30 completed quantitative questionnaires for analysis. The findings indicate that most young drivers recognized that texting while driving and driving under the influence of alcohol and cannabis were risky behaviors, and perceived texting while driving to be more risky and more prevalent compared to the other two behaviors. The proposed model highlights moral integrity as a moderator in the relationship between risk perception and risky behaviors across all observed behaviors. Particularly, the negative association between risk perception and risky behaviors was notably pronounced in individuals with lower moral integrity. These findings underscore the pivotal role of moral integrity in shaping risky behaviors, contributing an essential dimension to existing theories regarding risk perception and behaviors. Integrating moral dimensions into educational initiatives and campaigns may effectively deter risky driving behaviors among young adults.