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    Drivers’ experiences during floods: Investigating the psychological influences underpinning decisions to avoid driving through floodwater

    264971.pdf (697.2Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Hamilton, K.
    Price, S.
    Keech, J.
    Peden, A.
    Hagger, Martin
    Date
    2018
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Hamilton, K. and Price, S. and Keech, J. and Peden, A. and Hagger, M. 2018. Drivers’ experiences during floods: Investigating the psychological influences underpinning decisions to avoid driving through floodwater. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 28: pp. 507-518.
    Source Title
    International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction
    DOI
    10.1016/j.ijdrr.2017.12.013
    ISSN
    2212-4209
    School
    School of Psychology
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/67204
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    A major risk factor for many flood-related drownings is driving through floodwater. We aimed to understand Australian drivers’ experiences and beliefs with respect to avoid driving through floodwater using the theory of planned behaviour as a framework. Study 1 (N = 23) used a qualitative design to gain an in-depth understanding of individuals’ experiences with driving through floodwater. Study 2 (N = 157) used a survey-based design to identify the factors related to this behaviour including knowledge, beliefs, and social-cognitive factors. In Study 1, drivers identified a range of advantages (e.g., didn't damage car), disadvantages (e.g., inconvenient, but not so terrible), barriers (e.g., urgency to reach destination), and facilitators (e.g., making plans and using existing plans) to avoiding driving through floodwater. Normative factors were also important influences on drivers’ decisions including normative expectancy, approval of significant others, and a moral obligation for the safety of others. In Study 2, participants were able to recall information about driving through floodwater (e.g., dangerous/risky) and its meaning (e.g., body of water over road). A range of experiences were described for avoiding driving through floodwater (e.g., took an alternative route). Across the studies, a range of behavioural, normative, and control beliefs were elicited. Finally, sex (women more likely), attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control significantly predicted intentions to avoid driving through floodwater, with the model explaining 55% of the variance. These findings can inform intervention targets and development of prevention strategies for effective behaviour change, saving lives otherwise lost to Australian waterways in flood.

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    • Driving through floodwater: Exploring driver decisions through the lived experience
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      Despite awareness of campaigns such as ‘Turn Around, Don't Drown’ and the Australian state of Queensland's ‘If It's Flooded, Forget It’, people continue to drive through floodwaters, causing loss of life, risk to rescuers, ...
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