Identification of risk factors for road traffic accidents using injured drivers: a cross sectional study conducted in Sri-Lanka

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accidents are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and a major cause of sudden deaths in Sri Lanka.Methods: This study was conducted to assess risk factors for RTAs using 360 injured drivers, admitted to the accident wards in two teaching hospitals in Kandy and Kurunegala using interviewer-administered questionnaires.Results: The majority of the study population (97%) was male and most drivers were 26-35 years of age. Motorcycles were the most common vehicle (79%) involved in RTAs and 47% of drivers had a driving experience of less than 10 years. The driving speed of 31-45 km/ h was reported in one-third of the RTAs and 76.9% of RTAs occurred on carpet roads mostly on Wednesdays and Fridays. Only 29 (8.055%) vehicles reported technical problems at the time of the RTA. There is a significant association (p<0.001) between the speed of the vehicle and the driving experience and the type of the vehicle and the age of the participants. There is an association between the type of the vehicle and the site of injury of drivers and between the speed of the vehicle and the usage of alcohol (P<0.01).Conclusions: Findings revealed that high risk for RTAs was amongst young male drivers, 26-35 years age range, who drove motorcycles. The most potential for RTAs to occur was on Fridays and Wednesdays and are more pronounced after 6 pm. The risk factors of RTAs are a result of a combination of several factors, as opposed to one.

Prevalence and factors associated with ever had road traffic accidents among drivers in Hargeisa city, Somaliland, 2022

“…This research established a connection between the type of vehicle and RTAs. Consistent with this study, vehicle type was associated with RTAs in the Philippines [ 30 ], Iraq [ 31 ], and Sri Lanka [ 32 ]. This association may be due to the fact that drivers of vehicles such as Vitz, buses, and water trucks often drive at high speeds without exercising adequate caution.…”

Factors in Road Traffic Crashes Among Drivers in Buno Bedelle Zone, Southwest Ethiopia: A Case Control Study

“…This is also in line with a finding from Benin City, Nigeria, which found less experienced drivers inflicting more RTC than experienced drivers (Okafor et al, 2017). Findings from research conducted in countries of all development levels indicated a relationship between a lack of sufficient driving experience and risky driving behaviours (Mekonnen et al, 2016;Liu et al, 2021;Madhumali et al, 2021). The occurrence of risky driving behaviours is associated with a greater likelihood of the occurrence of RTC (WHO, 2018).…”

A cross-sectional study on road traffic injuries: expanding epidemic in developing countries

“…Furthermore, our research revealed that limb injuries were the most commenest types of injuries, accounting for 42.2% in lower and 27.5% in upper limb respectively. In a separate study conducted in Sri Lanka, head injuries were the primary concern [9], while other studies showed a high incidence of leg (39.7%) and limb injuries (73%) [8], as well as head and limb injuries (70% & 73%) [12].…”

“…In 2013, the majority of victims fell within the age range of 19 to 39 years [7], and in 2021, it was the 26 to 35 age group that was most affected [8]. In 2022, victims ranged from 1 to 75 years of age [10], but the age group of 18 to 45 years is typically considered the most active and productive.…”