Dr. Steve Swartz, Assistant Professor in the College of Business, is researching why commercial drivers choose to engage in "risky" behaviors (speeding, tailgating, etc) and driver and safety professional perceptions of the effectiveness of various safety-related programs. He hopes this research will lead to fewer accidents involving commercial motor vehicles.
This is a new research area for Swartz who said, "Behavioral issues remain somewhat of a “final frontier” in improving safety." He plans on sharing the results of his findings with motor carriers who can modify the factors to help drivers operate more safely. "Companies can identify and emphasize the higher “bang for the buck” programs and issues to concentrate on to improve the safety of their operations".
Some initial summary findings:
- Perceived Safety Climate does have an effect on Attitude and Behavioral Intent to perform risky behaviors; surprisingly, “Supportive” climate is more significant than “Directive” climate.
- Efforts to improve their self-confidence in their own safety performance would make them less likely to consider engaging in the potentially unsafe behaviors.
- In order to improve the effectiveness of training methods, changes must focus on the very difficult task of changing these factors- Attitude, Perceived Control, and Self-Assessed Safety.
- Risk Aversion was seen as a powerful predictor of intentions to commit unsafe acts.
Swartz is working with the Texas Motor Transportation Association Safety Management Council, the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement division of the Texas State Department of Public Safety and member firms participating in the study.
Swartz has been awarded internal “seed” funding for his research from the University (two junior faculty summer research grants) and the College of Business (one externally funded proposal generation grant).
His initial findings have been reported to academic and industry conferences; one paper has been accepted for publication and another is under second review with more in draft form. Three “white paper” type summary reports are also available.
Doctoral candidate Matt Douglas, who is pursuing his dissertation research in a related area (ethical decision making framework for commercial drivers), is also involved in this research.
For more information on Dr. Swartz research, please contact him at steve.swartz@unt.edu.
