Traffic Rule Violation: A Weak Link in Prevention of Road Traffic Accidents

Jha Deepak K, Sharma Vibha, Tripathi Chadra B and Grover Naveen

Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
Department of Clinical Psychology Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India
Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences, Delhi, India

^*Correspondance to: Deepak Kumar Jha 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1589

Abstract

Context: Road traffic accident in India is increasing despite recent legislative amendments, awareness programs and enforcements of traffic rules. Road users' behavior has been found to be the primary reason of accidents in 70%-95% of cases. We planned this preliminary study to evaluate behavior of local population with regards to traffic rule violations.Methods: Study was conducted at campus of our Institute, which is situated in the capital city of Delhi. A questionnaire of 21 questions, to evaluate various aspects of human behavior, was formulated. People who used to drive two and/or four wheelers on Delhi roads were included in the study. Patients and employee of the institute were excluded. Answers were evaluated based on age, gender, educational levels, type of vehicle (two or four wheeler) driven, and residence (Delhi or outside Delhi). Tendency to Violate Traffic Rules Under Stress (VTRS) and Low Frustration Tolerance (LFT) were evaluated for each group.Results: A total of 52 participants' filled up questionnaire were examined and evaluated. It included 43 (83%) males and 9 (17%) females with average age of 34 years (range 20 to 56). Younger drivers and those who used to drive motorized two and/or four wheelers had more VTRS and LFT.Conclusion: Population based road users’ behavior needs to be studied for understanding cause of increase in road traffic accidents in India. Trauma care personnel and behavior scientists/therapists should work together to find out effective ways to prevent RTA.

Keywords

Road traffic accident; Human behavior; Traffic rule; Road rage; Prevention

Cite the article

Jha DK, Vibha S, Tripathi CB, Naveen G. Traffic Rule Violation: A Weak Link in Prevention of Road Traffic Accidents. Clin Surg. 2017; 2: 1589.