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The aim of this study is to identify the psycho-social determinants of truck overloading from a behavioral perspective. Although there has been sizable efforts to investigate overloading from different perspectives, factors influencing truck drivers' decisions to overload have not been revealed. In this study, sampling 552 truck drivers, we used the theory of planned behavior (TPB), extended with risk perception (RP), facilitating circumstance (FC) and law enforcement knowledge (LEK), as a lens to examine overloading. A survey questionnaire was designed to collect data, including information regarding drivers' demographics and TPB variables. The results showed strong support for the application of the TPB in explaining overloading behavior. Specifically, behavioral intentions (BI) had the greatest direct positive effect on overloading behavior, followed by LEK, while perceived behavioral control had no direct positive effect. Interestingly, subjective norms had a significant positive effect on BI, while attitudes had a positive indirect effect, indicating that drivers' negative attitudes toward overloading could not alone reduce this risky violation. Furthermore, all extended TPB variables were significantly and positively associated with overloading intentions, with FC having the largest positive effect. Finally, these findings were discussed in view of determining how to make truck drivers less inclined to overload. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new TPB model extended with driving exposure is proposed to examine using mobile phones while driving. • The determinants of using mobile phones while driving among commercial truck drivers in China are identified. • All the TPB variables, with the exception of subjective norm, are significantly and positively associated with truck drivers' intentions to use mobile phones while driving. • Driving exposure has significant positive effects on truck drivers' psychological factors underlying mobile phone use behavior while driving. Commercial truck drivers are particularly exposed to the risks associated with distracted driving, especially with mobile phone use while driving (MPWD), due to their higher driving exposure (DE) (e.g., high driving frequency, long driving hours and distance). However, despite being identified as one of the major causes in truck crashes, truck drivers' MPWD behavior has received little attention. In the current work, the theory of planned behavior (TPB), extended with DE, was applied to explore the determinants of MPWD among commercial truck drivers in China and examine the correlations between drivers' DE and psychological factors. We conducted an Internet survey and collected 420 valid questionnaires, which measured truck drivers' 5 standard TPB variables, DE and demographics. Structural equation modelling was used to analyze the data from the survey. The results showed strong support for the application of the proposed TPB model in explaining truck drivers' MPWD behavior. Specifically, truck drivers' behavioral intention (BI) had the greatest direct positive effect on MPWD behavior, while perceived behavioral control (PBC) had no direct positive effect. Moreover, PBC, attitude (ATT) and DE were significantly and positively associated with BI, while subjective norm was insignificant. As expected, DE has significant positive effects on truck drivers' psychological factors underlying MPWD behavior, especially on ATT and PBC, indicating that truck drivers with higher DE tend to have more positive attitudes toward MPWD and feel more confident about performing this risky behavior. These results may have notable practical implications in providing theoretical support for management and intervention of commercial truck drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]