ABSTRACT
This chapter examines whether social psychology can contribute to a theoretical understanding of motorcycling accidents and safety. The purpose of the research, which is based on a national survey of motorcyclists, has been to address both issues. First, the design was prospective: the principal dependent measure, accident-related behaviour, was predicted from beliefs and attitudes measured twelve months earlier. Second, the structure of the measures and analyses was guided by established theoretical models: the Theory of Reasoned Action and its extension, the Theory of Planned Behaviour; and the Health Belief Model. Both approaches have already been used with some success in understanding road user behaviour: wearing seat belts, using car seats and restraints for children, avoiding drink-driving, and wearing cycle helmets. The objective of the third and final stage of the work was to design a programme of training. The chapter explores the implications of the findings for policy and practice, and the most immediate appeared to concern training.
