Gender differences in factors affecting driving proficiency and traffic risk: the role of personality traits and driving styles in Korean drivers

Personality traits and habitual driving styles shape driving proficiency and crash risk, yet gender-specific patterns in Korean drivers remain underexplored. We examined how Big Five traits and multidimensional driving styles relate to perceived driving proficiency and traffic risk by gender. In-person surveys were completed by 645 licensed drivers (323 men, 322 women; age 20–60). Measures included the Big Five Inventory, a Korean-adapted Multidimensional Driving Style Inventory (MDSI), and a modified Driver Skill Inventory, demographic variables: driving frequency, self-reported crashes, and traffic violation. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the MDSI. Hierarchical regressions modeled perceived proficiency analyses were stratified by gender. Men reported higher openness and aggressive/risky styles; women scored higher on neuroticism and patient/careful styles. Across genders, anxious driving style consistently predicted lower perceived proficiency, whereas conscientiousness and angry style predicted higher perceived proficiency; neuroticism lowered proficiency in men. Perceived proficiency tended to correlate positively with violations in both genders, suggesting possible overconfidence. Personality and driving styles show gender-specific links to perceived skill and safety outcomes among Korean drivers. Findings suggest that gender-tailored interventions may be beneficial. Specifically, these interventions could target emotional regulation (anxiety/anger), speed management, and confidence calibration. Such approaches would incorporate personality-informed, culturally sensitive strategies to improve road safety.