Introduction to Traffic Psychology: Understanding the Psychological Aspects of Driving

The monograph “Introduction to Traffic Psychology: Understanding the Psychological Aspects of Driving” provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of psychological factors influencing road user behavior. It is based on the contemporary understanding of driving as a complex activity involving interaction between the human, the vehicle, and the environment, emphasizing the crucial role of human factors in traffic safety. The first part of the monograph addresses the fundamental concepts of traffic psychology, its historical development, scope, goals, and methodological approaches, as well as models explaining driving behavior. The second part focuses on psychological processes underlying driving, including perception, attention, learning, memory, decision-making, emotions, and motivation. The third part examines risky behaviors in traffic, such as distraction, speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigue, and aggressive driving. The monograph represents a valuable resource for students, researchers, and professionals, contributing to a better understanding of driver behavior and the development of effective strategies for improving traffic safety.