The Independence of Independents: Influences on Commercial Driver Intentions to Commit Unsafe Acts

Modern American folklore describes independent owner‐operator truckers as the last cowboys or frontiersman. If accurate, the individualistic nature of the independent trucker would mitigate the effectiveness of “corporate culture” in modifying behavioral intentions. The modern independent owner‐operator exists in a unique environment characterized by high regulation and low supervision, with highly undesirable consequences for bad decisions. This study used owner‐operators' perceptions of carrier safety climate and the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen 1991) to understand drivers; intentions to engage in potentially unsafe driving behavior. The relationships were tested with data from nearly 300 owner‐operators who conduct national, regional, and local driving operations. Results supported the individualistic nature of owner‐operators. Results also indicated that a carrier's use of supportive (versus directive) safety practices, combined with drivers' attitudes towards and perceived behavioral control of unsafe driving, significantly and directly influenced drivers' intentions to commit unsafe driving actions. These key findings inform carriers about adopting more resourceful safety training and awareness programs that provide drivers the necessary tools and skills to drive safely and avoid potential danger outside their control.