The Police Perspective on Driving Styles in China: An Interview Study

The driving style is an important concept that relates to the characteristics of drivers’ behaviors and road safety. According to the Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory (MDSI), four broad dimensions of driving styles were assessed and determined, namely: (1) reckless and careless; (2) anxious; (3) angry and hostile; (4) patient and careful. Against this background, we conducted an interview study with ten local road traffic police officers, with the aim of exploring the descriptions and manifestations of four broad driving styles within the particular traffic cultures of China. The results show evidence that the four central domains are all commonly seen in China, while some (e.g., reckless and careless style) may have more specific and concrete interpretations under the influence of the unique Chinese traffic culture. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, Chinese drivers, and researchers to gain greater awareness of the existing driving styles in China and some underlying reasons for these patterns, thus helping to encourage the adoption of safer driving practices.