Awareness and obeyance of road traffic rules among motorists in Mangaluru suburbs, India

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accident is one amongst the “biggest killers” across the World according to World Health Organization. Though road traffic accidents are both predictable and preventable, it is witnessed that there is an alarming increase in morbidity, mortality and disability owing to road traffic accident which has become a major public health concern in India. Hence this study aims to assess the awareness and obeyance of road traffic rules among commuters in south Mangaluru suburbs. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 180 motorists in south Mangaluru suburbs during August 2015, who were selected conveniently and structured questionnaire was administered for interview schedule. The data were analyzed for mean, median, frequencies, percentages, standard deviation and appropriate statistical tests were applied by using SPSS version 16. Results: More than two-thirds (67.2%) had insufficient awareness about road traffic rules and more than three fourth of the respondents (86.1%) had bad obeyance of road traffic rules. There was relationship between awareness and practice which was statistically significant (p=0.041) and there was statistical significant difference (p<0.05) in obeyance according to marital status, profession and type of vehicles used. Conclusions: Though the respondents were aware about road traffic rules to a certain extent but they were not obeying the road traffic rules wholly. This can be addressed through the strict enforcement of road traffic rulesand behavioral change communications.