Assessment of Risky Traffic Behaviors in Kashan Population in 2018

Background & Aims of the Study: Risky driving behaviors are a set of actions that put drivers at the risk of death or injuries which are caused by the violations of legal standards. These kinds of behaviors are the key factor leading to a higher risk of traffic crashes and injuries. The present study aimed to investigate the situation of some high-risk traffic behaviors and the related factors in Kashan. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 400 people were selected from among Kashan population by convenience sampling method. The self-reporting questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic information (e.g., gender, age, marital status, level of education of the person and parents, and family income) and the number of traffic violations (e.g., paid fines, running red lights, parking prohibited in specified places, as well as unauthorized overtaking and speeding). Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 16) using descriptive statistics (e.g., frequency distribution, central and dispersion indices) and inferential statistics (e.g., independent t-test, analysis of variance, and chi-square). Results: The current study was conducted on 400 drivers who were selected from among Kashan population (314 men and 86 women) with the mean age of 38.15±10.29. The obtained results indicated that women were safer drivers. Moreover, it was found that people in older age groups committed fewer violations. In addition, the frequency of unauthorized speeding and overtaking was significantly higher among single people, as compared to the married ones. Regarding educational level, the frequency of unauthorized parking and overtaking was higher among the people with higher levels of education. Moreover, the frequency of unauthorized speeding was significantly higher among those with higher family income (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study and the relationship between demographic variables and risky traffic behaviors, it is suggested that the general public be trained on driving principles and regulations with respect to their age and educational level.  In addition, the implementation of appropriate measures for the prevention of road accidents and injuries is recommended.