Influences of Fertility Status on Risky Driving Behaviour

The effects of hormones on human behaviour have been extensively studied, but little attention has been paid to the influence of ovarian hormones on risky driving. Twenty-five normally cycling women took part in three sessions, including an ovulatory phase estimation session and two experimental sessions: high vs low fertile phases. These two phases were monitored through a urine-based luteinizing hormone predictor test. In the two experimental sessions, participants were administered the Driving Behaviour Questionnaire and the Vienna Risk-Taking Test. Results showed that women are more risk-averse in their driving behaviour during their high-fertile phase. The influence of hormonal fluctuations on self-perception of risk attitude when driving was non-significant. Findings are discussed from an evolutionary perspective. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.