Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2018
  • Volume: 9
  • Issue: 5

Road Safety Awareness and Driving Practices: Perception of Students At an Urban Indian University

  • Author:
  • Rajiv Chintaman Yeravdekar1, Abhay Raghunath Saraf2, Yatin Vilas Pimple3, Abhijeet Ashok Safai4, Samir Sumant Barve5, Sharvari Rahul Shukla6
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 565 to 570

1Director, Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

2Principal-Public Health, IQVIA, New Delhi, India

3Medical Officer (SCOPE), (Research), Symbiosis Community Outreach Programme and Extension (SCOPE), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

4Research Officer, (Research), Symbiosis Community Outreach Programme and Extension (SCOPE), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

5Medical Officer (Research), Symbiosis Community Outreach Programme and Extension (SCOPE), Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

6Director, Symbiosis Statistical Institute, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune, India

Online published on 5 July, 2018.

Abstract

Road fatalities occur amongst the most productive age of 15 to 44 years globally; with India contributing to 73% of fatalities in the South East Asian region. This study was therefore carried out with the objective of assessing awareness of road safety and driving practices amongst students and accordingly recommend appropriate measures.

A cross sectional study amongst students of a University was carried out using a self-administered

questionnaire from January 2015 to April 2016.

Of the 384 students enrolled, 54 percent and 46 percent were boys and girls respectively, with an age range from 18 to 31 years (Mean 20.1 years and SD±2.3). The traffic sign least known to the students was ‘Give way’ (24%) while ‘No horn’ traffic sign was known to all students. Exceeding lawful speed limit (25%) was the most commonly followed unsafe driving practice while drunken driving (3.1%) was the least followed unsafe driving practice. Thirty-six and twenty-three percent students reported not using helmet while driving two wheeler and seatbelt while driving four wheeler vehicles respectively.

The observations of the study emphasize the need to create awareness related to few unknown traffic signs like yellow signal, give way and no parking; monetary penalties and safe driving practices like use of helmet and seatbelts.

Keywords

Road Traffic Accidents, Road safety awareness, Driving practices, Helmet use, Seatbelt use, University students