Promoting Sustainable and Safe Mobility: Psychometric Validation of the MORDE Scale for Measuring Moral Disengagement in Driving Contexts

Pierluigi Cordellieri (), Raffaella Nori, Paola Guariglia, Marco Giancola, Alessia Bonavita, Massimiliano Palmiero, Anna Maria Giannini and Laura Piccardi ()
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Pierluigi Cordellieri: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Raffaella Nori: Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Paola Guariglia: Faculty of Social and Communication Sciences, Università Mercatorum, 00186 Rome, Italy
Marco Giancola: Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Alessia Bonavita: Faculty of Law, Giustino Fortunato University, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Massimiliano Palmiero: Department of Communication Sciences, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
Anna Maria Giannini: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Laura Piccardi: Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-20

Abstract: Background: Road traffic accidents continue to be a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Psychological and behavioural factors play a crucial role in traffic safety and are not yet fully understood. Among these, the relationship between individuals and road rules plays a key role in driving behaviour and risk perception. We introduce and validate the MORDE (Moral Disengagement in Road Driving Evaluation) scale, a novel instrument designed to assess the specific cognitive mechanisms through which drivers morally justify risky or rule-violating behaviours. Methods: The scale was developed and validated through a three-step process involving 1336 licensed drivers. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test its factorial structure, and internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha. Convergent and predictive validity were assessed using self-reported measures of traffic violations and road safety attitudes. Results: The final 14-item version of the MORDE scale shows a robust two-factor structure: (1) Normative Justification of Transgressive Driving and (2) Attribution of Blame and Displacement of Responsibility. The instrument demonstrates strong internal reliability and significant predictive power for driving behaviours and road safety attitudes, beyond what is explained by general moral disengagement. The MORDE scale thus shows good psychometric properties and incremental validity. Conclusions: By identifying psychological risk factors that contribute to unsafe and unsustainable driving, the MORDE scale provides a validated tool that can support educational interventions, traffic safety campaigns, and behaviour change programs. Its use may contribute to the promotion of a safer, more responsible, and environmentally sustainable road culture.

Keywords: road safety; driving behaviour; traffic violations; moral disengagement in driving; psychological mechanisms of transgression; psychometric validation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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