Intention and Willingness to Drive While Drowsy in a Population of University Students in Maryland: An Application of an Extended Theory of Planned Behavior Model

Abstract

This questionnaire-based descriptive study examined the utility of a model based on constructs from the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Prototype Willingness Model to predict intentions and willingness to engage in drowsy driving behavior in a population of university students in Maryland. Overall, students who reported more favorable attitudes and subjective norm and greater perceived control and willingness in relation to drowsy driving behavior were more likely to report stronger intentions to engage in drowsy driving. Furthermore, students who reported more favorable attitudes and subjective norm in relation to drowsy driving behavior were more likely to report greater willingness to engage in drowsy driving. Perceived behavioral control and willingness were the strongest predictors for intention, while attitudes were a stronger predictor than subjective norm for willingness. Finally, some statistically significant differences in intention and willingness were observed between male and female students, but not between employed and non-employed students.