scholarly journals Are Your Eyes “on the Road”? Findings from the 2019 National Study on Vision and Driving Safety in Spain

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Lijarcio ◽  
Sergio A. Useche ◽  
Javier Llamazares ◽  
Luis Montoro
Keyword(s):  
Visual Field ◽  
Road Safety ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Driving Safety ◽  
National Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Road ◽  
Road Users ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Visual Health

Background: Vision is an undisputable contributor to the explanation of many human-factor related traffic crashes happening every day. The Inland Transport Committee (ITC), the United Nations regulatory platform, included on 1st April 2020 special action on the vision of road users inside the ITC Recommendations for Enhancing Road Safety Systems. The results of this wide-scale study on drivers’ vision health conducted in Spain perfectly illustrates the need of global action and its potential impact on the public health figures and the burden of potentially preventable traffic causalities. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess three key visual health issues (i.e., visual acuity, visual field campimetry and glare recovery) among Spanish drivers, in order to formulate implications and possible guidelines to enhance road safety. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the visual health of a representative sample of 3249 drivers (70% females and 30% males) with a mean age of 41 (SD = 13) years, gathered from all the 17 autonomous communities of Spain. Results: The tests performed allowed to determine that 15% of Spanish drivers have a poor photopic vision, while 38% of them present an inadequate mesopic vision. Further, 23% of drivers have deficiencies in peripheric visual field campimetry, and the average time for full-vision recovery after a 10-s glare was 27 s. Sex, age and driver type (professional vs. non-professional) differences were found for the study variables. Conclusions: The findings of this study support the idea that certain demographic-based population groups of drivers present several unaddressed deficiencies and impairments in visual health. Overall an estimated 29.5% of Spanish drivers present visual issues, that need to be attended in order to enhance the prevention of driving crashes and the road safety of all road users.

scholarly journals More aware, more protected: a cross-sectional study on road safety skills predicting the use of passive safety elements among Spanish teenagers

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e035007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Useche ◽  
Francisco Alonso ◽  
Luis Montoro ◽  
Leandro Garrigós
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Road Safety ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Passive Safety ◽  
Safety Skills ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

ObjectiveThis study had two objectives: first, to test the effects of sociodemographic variables, and the effects of three key road safety skills (knowledge–risk perception–attitudes) on the use of passive safety elements (PSEs) among teenagers; and second, to assess the differential impact of the study variables on PSEs use from a gender-based perspective.Setting and participantsThis cross-sectional study was framed in the paradigm of primary care, and it involved students from several educational centres in Spain. A sample of 827 Spanish teenagers (52.4% females and 47.6% males) with a mean age of M=14.41–7 (12–19) years was used.ResultsThrough SEM modelling, we found that the use of PSEs is largely explained by psychosocial variables through the mediation of three road safety skills: risk perception (β=0.103***), rule knowledge (β=0.095*) and attitudes towards road safety (β=0.186***). Furthermore, multigroup analyses showed that, although most variables explain the use of PSEs among teenagers in a similar way, key gender-based differences exist in this regard.ConclusionsRoad safety skills have a significant effect on the use of PSEs among Spanish teenagers, and gender explains some differences in the mechanisms which predict them. Also, in the study we discuss the need for strengthening school-based interventions aimed at helping this vulnerable group of road users acquire and develop positive behavioural competences.

scholarly journals The efficacy of road safety education to prevent pedestrian fatalities in Limpopo Province (South Africa)

2022 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 995-1009
Author(s):  
Mmakwena Modipa ◽  
Sean Kockott ◽  
Adewale Olutola
Keyword(s):  
Road Safety ◽  
Department Of Education ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Safety Education ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Education Department ◽  
The Road ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Road Users ◽  
On The Road

This paper explores road safety education to prevent pedestrian fatalities in Limpopo Province. Pedestrian safety remains one of the main challenges for road safety authorities as many road users are losing their lives on the road. The inability of both pedestrians and motorists to understand and interpret the rules of the road is a major problem in Limpopo Province. The study utilised quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 195 respondents. Comprises of 15 civil engineering companies, 23 civil society organisations, 52 community members, 51 teachers and 54 traffic police officials. The findings from the study revealed among many others, that 64.1% of respondents agreed that non-involvement of parents in road safety education contribute to pedestrian fatalities; 61% of the respondents agreed that ineffective scholar patrol contribute to pedestrian fatalities; 67.2% of the respondents agreed that lack of professional support in road safety contribute to pedestrian fatalities and 72% of the respondents agreed that limited resources in road safety contribute to pedestrian fatalities. Based on the findings, the author provided, possible recommendations such as; Department of Transport and Education should involve parents/guardians in road safety education; Department of Education should review scholar patrol to ensure that it assist positively in preventing pedestrian fatalities; Traffic authorities should partner with academics to provide road safety policies and strategies; Department of Transport should partner with private sector to provide resources for road safety education in Limpopo Province.

scholarly journals “Not as Safe as I Believed”: Differences in Perceived and Self-Reported Cycling Behavior between Riders and Non-Riders

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1614
Author(s):  
Sergio A. Useche ◽  
Javier Gene-Morales ◽  
Felix W. Siebert ◽  
Francisco Alonso ◽  
Luis Montoro
Keyword(s):  
Road Safety ◽  
Perceived Safety ◽  
The Road ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Positive Behaviors ◽  
Behavioral Interaction ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Traffic Violations ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Cycling Behavior

Cycling behavior remains a key issue for explaining several traffic causalities occurring every day. However, recent studies have shown how the assessment of the own safety-related behaviors on the road may substantially differ from how third parties assess them. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the differences between cyclists’ self-reported behavior and the proxy-reported behavior that other (non-cyclist) road users perceive from bike riders. For this purpose, this study used data from two samples: (i) 1064 cyclists (M = 32.83 years) answering the Cycling Behavior Questionnaire—CBQ, and (ii) 1070 non-cyclists (M = 30.83 years) answering an adapted version of the CBQ for external raters—ECBQ. The results show how the self-reported and proxy-reported behaviors of cyclists greatly differ in terms of all behavioral factors composing the CBQ model, i.e., traffic violations, riding errors, and positive behaviors. Also, external raters (non-cyclists) are those targeting significantly riskier behaviors than those self-reported by cyclists. These discrepancies between perceived behaviors may give rise to conflicting viewpoints on the interaction between bicycle riders and other road users. Therefore, this study underscores the importance of behavioral awareness, providing highlights for future studies on the behavioral interaction between cyclists and other road users. Results can be used to improve the road safety of all road users by giving indications on self-and proxy-perceived safety-related behaviors and visibility of protective riding habits.

scholarly journals Effect of Road Safety Education on Road Risky Behaviors of Spanish Children and Adolescents: Findings from a National Study

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Alonso ◽  
Cristina Esteban ◽  
Sergio Useche ◽  
Natura Colomer
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Road Safety ◽  
Risky Behavior ◽  
Demographic Factors ◽  
Risky Behaviors ◽  
National Study ◽  
Safety Education ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
The Road

Road Safety Education (RSE) is widely known as a reliable determinant of future results for what concerns health and welfare, and as an undisputable factor which contributes to the social behavior of individuals and to their mid and long-term road safety outcomes. However, its development has been relatively scarce in most countries, fact which has contributed to letting matters as delicate as traffic crashes produced by road misbehaviors continue to be a prevalent problem, thus affecting the health of the community. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between demographic and RSE-related variables and the self-reported road risky behavior of Spanish students. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, a representative sample of 4,062 (51.5 males and 48.5% females) participants attending primary (47.5%), secondary (40.7%) and high school (11.7%) was gathered through a national survey on RSE and road behaviors. Results: A set of significant associations between demographic factors, RSE variables and self-reported road behaviors was found. Furthermore, the SEM modelling allowed us to establish that age, observed misbehaviors, attitudes towards road safety and risk perception keep a direct link with the road risky behavior of children and young people. The knowledge of traffic rules was not a significant predictor of road behavior. Conclusions: The results of this study show that, together with demographic factors such as age, RSE-related variables have an effect on the road behavior of children and young people. They also suggest the need of strengthening actions to be implemented in road safety (Road Safety Education), into scholar and community levels.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A UNIFORM ROUTE GUIDANCE SYSTEM IN UKRAINE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE WORLD’S BEST PRACTICES TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY

2021 ◽  
pp. 36-45
Author(s):  
Liydmila Nagrebelna ◽  
Alla Kononenko
Keyword(s):  
Road Safety ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Guidance System ◽  
Route Guidance ◽  
Road Accidents ◽  
The Road ◽  
Traffic Conditions ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Route Direction ◽  
On The Road

Route guidance tools have a significant impact on road safety on public roads, as they carry important information on route guidance: provide drivers with information on the location on a specified road, regularly confirm the planned direction of movement, timely inform road users about the change of specified route direction and indicate the distance to the final object. This is very important information for the driver and it is difficult to overestimate it in road safety. Timely informing of drivers on the route direction will allow them carrying out adjustments in advance and feel confident on the road. Ensuring the completeness of route guidance information prevents emergency braking of vehicles in the area of traffic junctions and violation of the maneuvering rules to make a turn / turnaround in the right direction, and such maneuvers lead to road accidents. The establishment of a uniform route guidance system will reduce the road accident level and the cost of transportation due to excessive mileage of vehicles in the case of wrong route and help the drivers freely and easily get to their destination. The main need for information is felt by the drivers of vehicles whose actions directly impact the road safety. This, in turn, determines the basic principles and requirements for the composition, placement and choice of information tools. During the trip, the drivers need the information that would allow them navigating freely on the roads when passing the selected route that will relieve the stress of drivers and reduce the probability of road accidents, as well as increase the capacity of roads. It helps the drivers to adjust the previously selected route taking into account the real traffic conditions during the trip thereby minimizing the time consumption. To navigate the roads during movement, the drivers need the information about streets, objects and directions. Such information is provided by information signs, with which the road network must be equipped in sufficient quantity. The information provision should differ depending on the settlements, public roads and traffic conditions. A comprehensive solution of the issue of quality information provision to the road users can be achieved only by establishing a uniform route guidance system for road users which will take into account the needs for information of different categories of road users.

scholarly journals Road Safety Analysis of High-Risk Roads: Case Study in Baja California, México

Safety ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Marco Montoya-Alcaraz ◽  
Alejandro Mungaray-Moctezuma ◽  
Julio Calderón-Ramírez ◽  
Leonel García ◽  
Cynthia Martinez-Lazcano
Keyword(s):  
Road Safety ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Baja California ◽  
Surface Condition ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
The Road ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Operative Strategies ◽  
Risk Areas ◽  
On The Road

The objective of this research is to develop a useful procedure to assess and identify risks that promote accidents by road users, with the vision of improving safety through the implementation and technical employment of operative strategies. The relevance of this proposal lies in the fact that the issue of traffic accidents is a global problem. This project is located in the mountain range of Baja California, Mexico, in the Centinela–La Rumorosa highway and integrates accidental and pavement surface condition data, geometric design performance, analysis of traffic signals, and road safety devices present on the road using geodetic techniques. It is concluded that this procedure contributes to determining risk areas that promote accidents and generate a risk reduction plan to support future decision-making that guarantees better performance for road users. Furthermore, it is highlighted that the analysis of road safety must be a permanent process for those who operate, design, and build the road system.

scholarly journals Survey-Based Accident Analysis for Human-Powered Three-Wheeled Vehicles

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Wilhelm ◽  
◽  
Volker Dorsch ◽  
Frank Gauterin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Correspondence Analysis ◽  
Driving Safety ◽  
The Road ◽  
Road Users ◽  
Manual Analysis ◽  
Bicycle Infrastructure ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Human Powered ◽  
Wheeled Vehicles ◽  
Near Accidents

The causes of accidents involving nonconventional bicycle types have hardly been investigated in the literature to date. However, these vehicles could play an important role in reducing the CO2 emissions generated by traffic. As a basis for improving the driving safety of these environmentally friendly vehicles, this article presents the results of a survey on accidents and near-accidents of multitrack bicycle vehicles. More than 120 critical or accident situations of 86 drivers were analyzed. The situations are investigated with respect to the circumstances, the causes, and the consequences of the accidents using manual analysis and multiple correspondence analysis. A distinction is made between single accidents and accidents with another party. The aim of the survey is not to make statistically accurate statements on the frequency and probability of accidents, but rather to analyze the accident or near-accident circumstances. It is shown that the causes of single accidents are usually too high cornering velocities in combination with other factors such as road conditions. In the case of accidents with external involvement, the person who caused the accident is usually the other party involved. The accident opponent is in most cases a passenger car. Here the overlooking of the vehicles is the most frequent cause of accidents. Finally, possibilities to reduce the probability of accidents are briefly discussed for the different situations. As the research shows, most of the situations described occur on the road. This indicates that there are deficits in the bicycle infrastructure for the vehicles considered here. The results also indicate that there are deficits with regard to the perceptibility of the vehicles by other road users.

scholarly journals Road Use Pattern and Street Crossing Habits of Schoolchildren in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajnarayan R. Tiwari ◽  
Shruti Patel ◽  
Annie Soju ◽  
Prarthana Trivedi
Keyword(s):  
Road Safety ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Safety Training ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Road ◽  
Street Crossing ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Use Pattern ◽  
On The Road

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) contribute significant DALYs in the global burden of diseases. Vulnerable groups particularly pedestrians and children are at an increased risk. Road use pattern, street crossing habits, and road safety awareness are important determinants of RTAs. The present study was carried out to assess the road use pattern and street crossing habits of schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study included 497 schoolchildren of 12–15 years. The interview technique was used as a tool for data collection on a predesigned questionnaire. A total of 40.4% of schoolchildren did not like to go to school alone and wanted somebody from the family to drop them to school. About one quarter of the students were afraid of traffic and expressed their inability to deal with traffic on the road. A total of 10.7% reported crossing the street in groups, and 1.4% reported running while crossing the street. Only 80.9% of students received some form of road safety training, and the parents and schools were the major source of information for such safety training. Age <14 years and a lower level of mother's education were found to be significant contributors for poor road crossing habit in univariate as well as multivariate analysis. The study suggests that the knowledge regarding safe road use and street crossing was lacking among study participants albeit in a small proportion only. Safety aspects can be partly strengthened by imparting practical knowledge about road use pattern, street crossing habits, and road safety procedures.

scholarly journals Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Driving a Vehicle with Timed-Out Inspection Certificate in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Luis Miguel Martín-delosReyes ◽  
Virginia Martínez-Ruiz ◽  
Mario Rivera-Izquierdo ◽  
José Pulido-Manzanero ◽  
Eladio Jiménez-Mejías ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Road Crashes ◽  
The Road ◽  
Vehicle Inspection ◽  
On The Road

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of vehicles on the road with a timed-out vehicle inspection certificate (TOVIC) and the associations of driver, vehicle, and environmental factors with this infraction. A quasi-induced exposure approach was used in this cross-sectional study to analyze a case series comprising 51,305 drivers passively involved in clean collisions (only one infractor driver involved) between two or more vehicles registered in the Spanish National Register of Road Crashes with Victims from 2014 to 2017. The prevalence of TOVIC was estimated in the whole sample and in subgroups defined by the variables considered. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios for the association between TOVIC and each category of the variables. The prevalence of TOVIC was low, although significant differences were found for certain subcategories of drivers, vehicles, and environmental factors. Significant positive adjusted associations were found between TOVIC and license-related infractions, vans (compared to cars), vehicle age, and vehicle defects. Several vehicle-related factors potentially associated with a high risk of involvement in a crash were clearly related with TOVIC, which suggests the need for measures to control this non-negligible number of high-risk vehicles on the road.

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