Emotional intelligence and risky driving behaviour: the role of ethical leadership

Purpose This paper aims to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and risky driving behaviour. The study further assesses the moderating effect of ethical leadership on the relationship between emotional intelligence and risky driving behaviour among drivers of transportation companies in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Employing a cross-sectional research design, data was collected from a sample of 211 drivers from transportation Companies in Ghana and analysed using the partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling (SEM) technique. Findings Regression analyses indicate that there is a negative relationship between emotional intelligence and risky driving behaviour. Furthermore, it was revealed that ethical leadership positively moderated the relationship between emotional intelligence and risky driving behaviour. Practical implications Considering that emotions precede ethics and drivers’ attitude, transportation companies should develop ethical leadership and emotional intelligence training for their drivers. Originality/value The added value of this empirical study lies in the moderated function of ethical leadership on the connection between emotional intelligence and risky driving behaviours in the context of sub-Saharan Africa, especially Ghana.