The Role of Water Depth Perception in Shaping Car Drivers’ Intention to Enter Floodwaters: Experimental Evidence

Abstract

Floods are one of the most lethal natural hazards. Recent studies show that in a large percentage of flood-related fatalities, victims engage in risk-taking behavior by getting deliberately in contact with floodwaters. This study integrates behavioral psychology and situational environmental factors with the aim to examine why individuals undertake such risky behavior. In particular, we draw on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to link water depth perception with the intention of car drivers to enter floodwaters. The hypotheses on which the study was based were that the depth of the water adversely affects the driver’s intention to enter floodwaters, and that this effect is mediated by a behavior-favorable attitude, a behavior-favorable subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Further, to understand the conditions under which this process works, the moderating role of past behavior in the above relationships is also examined. Results from an experimental study (n = 1940) show that water depth perception affects intention. Attitude, perceived behavioral control, and normative beliefs operate as the underlying psychological mechanism that leads to the mitigation of intention in higher water depth situations. Interestingly, past risk-taking behavior is found to be a significant condition under which this process works, by mostly affecting individuals’ attitudes. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted to estimate causal relationships. The findings provide evidence of the significant interaction that environmental, psychological, and precedent behavioral factors have on behavioral intentions.

Developing a large-scale dataset of flood fatalities for territories in the Euro-Mediterranean region, FFEM-DB

“…Previous works have highlighted among FFs the role of demographics 12 , 42 and victim activity 22 , infrastructure, the use of vehicles 23 , 43 , 44 and vehicle types 15 , the victim’s residence 42 , and the cause of death 22 . In addition, previous studies have shown the influence of environmental factors 16 , 45 , 46 and the victim’s hazardous behavior 47 , 48 .…”

Exploring Urban Flood Policy Trends Using a Socio-Hydrological Approach—Case Studies from Japanese Cities

“…Socio-hydrology (SH) is a relatively young multidisciplinary field that tries to explain the intricate relationships between social systems and water systems, giving a tool for demonstrating the relationship between floods and cities in a variety of ways [4]. It is plausible to hypothesize that a significant proportion of fatalities associated with flooding are attributed to individuals who engage in deliberate risk-taking behavior by intentionally coming into contact with floodwaters [5]. As a result, the purpose of this research was to determine the flood control policy implications of Japanese cities using an SH method.…”