Examining Factors Associated with Involvement of Saudi Young Drivers in At-fault Crashes: Survey-Based Study

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the human factor is the main contributing factor leading to traffic accidents, followed by vehicle and road factors. In addition, many earlier studies have indicated that young drivers are at a high risk of being killed in traffic accidents around the world. Compared to other age groups, young drivers tend to be over-represented in severe and fatal crashes considering their percentage of the population. One way to improve traffic safety on highways is to improve the driving behavior of motorists, especially teenager drivers. There is a lack of studies that strived to thoroughly examine the driving behavior of young drivers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSU). Thus, this study aims at identifying and quantifying the significant factors associated with the involvement of young Saudi drivers in at-fault crashes. Another objective of this study is to provide in-depth insights concerning the types of traffic violations that young Saudi drivers commit while driving and the main reason(s) that they are involved in risky driving behaviors. The data used for the analyses were obtained from a self-reported questionnaire survey carried out among 242 young drivers in Riyadh, the capital of the KSA. To achieve these goals, the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach was adopted. The results indicated that exceeding the speed limit was the main reason for obtaining traffic citations by young Saudi drivers (stated by approximately 73% of participants). Additionally, running late was the main reason for being involved in risky driving behaviors while driving (62%), followed by testing the performance of the car or showing off (18%). Moreover, the results of the SEM model indicated that aggressive violations (pressing the brakes and gas pedal at the same time while driving) was the most significant factor affecting young Saudi drivers’ involvement in at-fault crashes between the ages of 18 and 24, followed by ordinary violations (i.e., driving so close to the car in front that it would be difficult to stop in an emergency) and attitudes toward speeding. Practical suggestions on how to improve the driving behavior of young Saudi drivers and how to reduce their crash risk, along with recommendations for future studies, are also discussed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANB30 Operator Education and Regulation.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Hassan, Hany M
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 93rd Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC
  • Date: 2014-1-12 to 2014-1-16
• Date: 2014

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 18p
• Monograph Title: TRB 93rd Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age groups; Behavior; Crash injuries; Fatalities; High risk drivers; Human factors in crashes; Recently qualified drivers; Speeding; Structural equation modeling; Teenage drivers; Traffic violations
• Geographic Terms: Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01520298
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 14-0789
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 27 2014 3:38PM