How aware are our truck drivers regarding prevention of road traffic accidents? A cross-sectional study in Dankuni area, Hooghly

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accidents are an emerging global health problem. It is projected that road traffic injuries will move up to the third by the year 2020 among leading causes of the global disease burden.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 248 truck drivers in Dunkuni area Hooghly for a period of 2 years from August 2017 to July 2018. By simple random sampling 248 truck drivers were selected from 641 registered drivers of the two-truck driver’s association. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics committee of AIIH and PH, Kolkata. After getting informed written consent for participation, the pre-designed pre-tested schedule was filled up. Data was analysed using SPSS16 version and bivariate analysis was done. For knowledge score (12 items), each item of positive response was scored as +2 and for negative response +1. Stress among truck drivers was assessed using perceived stress scale.Results: Mean age of the participants was 37 years. 24.2% participants studied up to secondary school and 134 (54%) belonged to class IV. 21.0% had history of alcohol addiction, 80.6% had high stress. Adequate knowledge of traffic sign was observed among 79.8% participants and overall adequate knowledge was found among 135 (54.4%) participants.Conclusions: Regular behavioural change communication sessions and intermittent sessions on safe-driving methods among truckers may prove beneficial in preventing road traffic accidents.

Qualitative Investigation of the Influential Factors behind Unsafe Trucking Behaviors in India

“…This is the main issue behind the drivers’ dissatisfaction with the profession; even though they are facing health-related problems they continue to serve in the occupation. The effect of skillset on driving behavior has been studied in the literature ( 22 – 36 ), as well as the reasons for dissatisfaction with the profession ( 37 – 40 ). Many studies have attempted to identify truck drivers’ views on the contributing factors for accidents, and found issues such as stress ( 5, 8, 10–13, 24, 38, 41 ), sleep disorder ( 6, 10, 13, 17, 23, 30, 41–44 ), fatigue ( 6, 10, 13, 14, 25, 27, 29, 45–47 ), anxiety ( 17 , 18 ), over speeding ( 8 , 12 , 22 , 39 ), rash driving ( 22 , 39 ), low income, depression ( 4–6, 10, 15, 22, 35, 38, 43, 48 ), and driving for an extended period ( 5–8, 13, 15, 18, 24, 25, 28, 42, 46 ).…”

“…Many studies have attempted to identify truck drivers’ views on the contributing factors for accidents, and found issues such as stress ( 5, 8, 10–13, 24, 38, 41 ), sleep disorder ( 6, 10, 13, 17, 23, 30, 41–44 ), fatigue ( 6, 10, 13, 14, 25, 27, 29, 45–47 ), anxiety ( 17 , 18 ), over speeding ( 8 , 12 , 22 , 39 ), rash driving ( 22 , 39 ), low income, depression ( 4–6, 10, 15, 22, 35, 38, 43, 48 ), and driving for an extended period ( 5–8, 13, 15, 18, 24, 25, 28, 42, 46 ). Apart from these factors, personal factors such as age ( 23 , 40 , 41 , 46 , 49 ), education level ( 16, 24, 31, 37, 49,…”

Causes and Strategies for Reducing Road Traffic Accidents in the Bongo District of Ghana

“…A Road Traffic Accident (RTA) is any mishap that takes place on the highway resulting in injuries and/or death [1]. In addition, a road traffic accident is observed as any incidence involving a motor vehicle or a motorcyclist on a road open to public or private traffic leading to the loss of precious life, injury, and /or damage to property [2]. Most often accidents on the road usually involve a road vehicle colliding with another road vehicle, animal, or pedestrian [3] or in some situations with a cyclist, or motorcyclist; road debris or a tree, utility pole or building leading to fatalities, injuries, disabilities, and hospitalizations [4].…”

Assessment of COVID-19-related awareness, knowledge, prevention practices and challenges faced by truck drivers in major transport cities of India: a cross-sectional survey

“…Considerable literature has been published regarding the knowledge and awareness of COVID-19 and prevention practices across populations,20–34 highlighting the need for the same. However, among the nomadic truck driver population, knowledge, awareness and prevention practice, assessments have been limited to other health conditions 35–39. While the Centre for Disease Control in the USA has shared some policies for long-haul truck drivers,40 these are not always applicable or available for their Indian counterparts.…”