Study on the Psychology of Drivers Dealing with Illegal Parking Behavior

Abstract

This research intends to examine and analyze how drivers’ psychology and awareness variables leading an erroneous parking behavior affect illegal parking by employing the theory of planned behavior. The theory of planned behavior is explained by the relationships among ‘Attitude toward the behavior’, ‘Subjective norms’, and ‘Perceived behavioral control’ affecting ‘Intention’ and ‘Behavior’. Using the results of drivers’ parking awareness survey conducted in Changwon City in 2017, variables related to each of the attitude toward the behavior, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control for illegal parking were extracted, and the effects they would have on behavioral intentions were analyzed. Analysis of the structural equation model revealed that Attitude toward the behavior’ had a positive effect on the willingness to avoid illegal parking as ‘Intention’. On the other hand, ‘Perceived behavioral control’ had a negative effect. It was also found that the latter had bigger-minus-effect on the willingness to avoid illegal parking behavior than the former. In other words, although there is a sense of norm that illegal parking is wrong behavior, which can cause harm to people including drivers and pedestrians, etc., it means that the willingness to violate the norm is up to 2.6 times higher than to follow the norm depending on driver’s situation. The results of this study will be a helpful tool for policymakers to understand the driver’s parking behavior and hence to develop a rational parking management policy.