Driving behaviour, driver style and road traffic accidents among young medical group

Abstract

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are increasingly being recognised as a growing public health problem. In Egypt, RTAs constitute 45% of all injury mortalities. The main objective of the study was to identify the driving style and driving behaviour of medical students and its association with car accident involvement. Driving style and behaviour of 450 medical students were reported using a self administered questionnaire. Driving style included: driving with excessive speed, deviance, calmness, planning and concentration, driving opposite direction, disregarding traffic lights and road signs (p<0.05). Driving behaviour included: driving before having license, mobile use during driving, violations, use of safety belt, participation in car races and driving under risky conditions. Involvements in car accidents were inquired in the questionnaire.ResultSixty-nine per cent of students reported having previous car accidents of which 63.5% were simple accidents with minimal car affection and no human injuries. Driving styles and behaviours that were significantly higher among males: excessive speed, driving before having license, disregarding road signs, driving opposite direction, non use of safety belt, answering a mobile call during driving, violations and drive under risky conditions. Significant factors associated with students' involvement in car accidents were as follows: answering mobile phone during driving, fast driving, disregarding road signs, involvement in car races, loud stereo music, drive under stress, severe fatigue, drive in bad visibility conditions, intake of alcohols and sedative drugs, sudden crossing of pedestrians, bad vehicle condition, previous violations and previous withdrawal of license.

Road Traffic Accidents Among Drivers in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

“…Males are more likely to adopt risky driving behaviours and to be involved in car crashes than their female counterparts [6]. The factors associated with RTA's in the country are comparable to what one would expect in most countries, although a further breakdown of factors under 'other' categories is necessary since that particular category has over half the number of accidents.…”

“…[6,15,16].Drivers were chosen to identify relevant factors that contribute to the traffic accidents in Abu Dhabi.…”

“…The cost of traffic accidents injuries is estimated to cost 2% o Gross National Product, GNP, in high income countries, 1.5% in middle income countries and 1% in 6]-[8 , road traffic accidents cost the global community about US$518 billion [3], [6].…”

Risky Driving Behaviours among Medical Students in Erbil, Iraq

“…15 Sabbour et al reported a number of common risky driving styles and behaviours, similar to the findings in this study, among medical students in Egypt. 20 These included driving at excessive speeds, driving without a licence, not wearing a seat belt and answering mobile phones while driving. 20 Similarly, a study from India revealed that 20% of medical students admitted to using hands-free mobile phones while driving and 68% revealed that they had surpassed speed limits on multiple occasions.…”

Do speed cameras reduce speeding in urban areas?

“…Meanwhile, Sabbour & Ibrahim 31 , in a study of 450 medical students using a self-administered questionnaire that focused on driving styles and behaviors and their association with road traffic accidents, found that speeding and not wearing a seatbelt and talking on the cell phone while driving were more prevalent among male drivers. Cell phone use while driving and speeding (among other factors) were significantly associated with medical students' involvement in car accidents.…”