Predictors of Self-reported Crashes among Iranian Drivers: Exploratory Analysis of an Extended Driver Behavior Questionnaire

More than 16,500 people lose their lives each year due to traffic crashes in Iran, which reflects one of the highest road traffic fatality rates in the world. The aim of the present study is to investigate the factors structure of an extended Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) and to examine the gender differences in the extracted factors among Iranian drivers. Further, the study tested the association between DBQ factors, demographic characteristics, and self-reported crashes. Based on Iranian driving culture, an extended (36 items) Internet-based version of the DBQ was distributed among Iranian drivers. The results of Exploratory Factor Analysis based on a sample of 632 Iranians identified a five-factor solution named “Speeding and Pushing Violations”, “Lapses and Errors”, “Violations Causing Inattention”, “Aggressive Violations” and “Traffic Violations” which account for 44.7 percent of the total variance. The results also revealed that females were more prone to Lapses and Errors, whereas males reported more violations than females. Logistic regression analysis identified Violations Causing Inattention, Speeding and Pushing Violations as predictors of self-reported crashes in a three-year period. The results were discussed in line with road traffic safety countermeasures suitable for the Iranian context.</p

Customer perceptions of quality of service in public transport: Evidence for bus transit in Scotland

This paper provides a detailed examination of a quality of service indicator utilised by the Scottish Government to assess the opinions of passengers towards bus transport. The quality of service indicator takes the form of an 11 item opinion scale which covers an array of service aspects. Factor analysis is employed to identify latent constructs which are present within this scale. Three latent constructs associated with attitudes towards perceived quality of bus service are identified, covering convenience, cabin environment and ease of use issues. These latent constructs are further explored through an appreciation of how attitudes towards perceived quality of bus service vary across socio-economic cohorts and the degree to which these attitudes can be of use in explaining variation in perceived satisfaction with the bus service. Results of the analysis suggest that attitudes regarding quality of bus service vary significantly across passenger groups, with females having a tendency to exhibit relatively negative opinions regarding the quality of the cabin environment with a similar finding observed in the case of passengers who are looking after the home and family. In addition, perceived convenience of the bus service appears to have a significant positive explanatory power over perceived satisfaction with the bus service, suggesting that improvements to service frequency, availability, reliability and stability will likely increase perceived satisfaction amongst existing passengers. At a more general level, this paper demonstrates the level of additional knowledge which can be attained through a more detailed analysis of existing transport policy data

Risk perception, experience, and objective risk: A cross-national study with European emergency survivors

Understanding public risk perceptions and their underlying processes is important in order to learn more about the way people interpret and respond to hazardous emergency events. Direct experience with an involuntary hazard has been found to heighten the perceived risk of experiencing the same hazard and its consequences in the future, but it remains unclear if cross‐over effects are possible (i.e., experience with one hazard influencing perceived risk for other hazards also). Furthermore, the impact of objective risk and country of residence on perceived risk is not well understood. As part of the BeSeCu (Behavior, Security, and Culture) Project, a sample of 1,045 survivors of emergencies from seven European countries (i.e., Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Spain, Turkey, and Italy) was drawn. Results revealed heightened perceived risk for emergency events (i.e., domestic and public fires, earthquakes, floods, and terrorist attacks) when the event had been experienced previously plus some evidence of cross‐over effects, although these effects were not so strong. The largest country differences in perceived risk were observed for earthquakes, but this effect was significantly reduced by taking into account the objective earthquake risk. For fires, floods, terrorist attacks, and traffic accidents, only small country differences in perceived risk were found. Further studies including a larger number of countries are welcomed

Mobilidade, acidentes de trânsito e fatores associados entre estudantes universitários da Guatemala

El objetivo fue identificar y cuantificar la asociación entre la intensidad de exposición (km/año recorridos), la accidentalidad y sus factores asociados en universitarios de Guatemala. Se realizó un estudio trasversal durante el curso 2010-2011, sobre una muestra de 1.016 conductores, quienes cumplimentaron un cuestionario autoadministrado que valoraba: patrones de movilidad, uso de dispositivos de seguridad, estilos de conducción y accidentalidad. Se obtuvieron asociaciones positivas entre la intensidad de exposición y la mayor implicación en circunstancias de riesgo al volante (coeficiente de regresión ajustado de 3,25, IC95%: 2,23-4,27, para las mayores exposiciones). Tanto una mayor implicación en tales circunstancias, como una mayor edad, fueron las variables más fuertemente asociadas con la mayor accidentalidad. Pese a que la intensidad de exposición se asocia positivamente con una mayor accidentalidad, se constató que la mayor parte de dicha asociación está mediada por una mayor implicación en circunstancias de riesgo al volante.The aim of this study was to identify and quantify the association between the amount of driving (km/year), traffic accidents, and other factors among university students in Guatemala. A cross-sectional study was performed during the 2010-2011 school year in a sample of 1,016 drivers who completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed mobility patterns, use of safety accessories, driving style, and automobile crashes. The results showed a positive association between amount of driving and greater involvement in risky driving (adjusted regression coefficient 3.25, 95%CI: 2.23-4.27, for the highest level of exposure). More frequent involvement in risky driving and older age showed the strongest associations with traffic accidents. Although the amount of driving was positively associated with a higher accident rate, most of this association was found to be mediated by involvement in risky driving practices.O objetivo foi identificar e quantificar a associação entre a intensidade de exposição (km/anos percorridos), a acidentalidade e os seus fatores em universitários da Guatemala. Realizou-se um estudo transversal durante o curso 2010-2011 sobre uma amostra de 1.016 condutores de veículos, que responderam a um questionário autoadministrado que valorizava: padrões de mobilidade, uso de dispositivos de segurança, maneira de condução e acidentalidade. Obtiveram-se associações positivas entre intensidade de exposição e maior implicância em circunstâncias de risco ao conduzir (coeficiente de regressão ajustado a 3,25; IC95%: 2,23-4,27, para as maiores exposições). Tanto a maior implicância em ditas circunstâncias como uma maioridade foram as variáveis mais fortemente associadas com a maior acidentalidade. Apesar de a intensidade de exposição ser associada positivamente com uma maior acidentalidade, estabelecemos que a maior parte da dita associação está mediada pela maior implicância em circunstâncias de risco ao conduzir

The level of health anxiety and the healthy lifestyle behaviors of nurses at Duzce University Research Hospital

YÖK Tez No: 412756Bu çalışma, Düzce Üniversitesi Araştırma ve Uygulama Hastanesinde görevli hemşirelerin sağlıklı yaşam biçimi davranışları ve sağlık kaygısı düzeylerini belirlemek amacıyla kesitsel olarak yapılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini Düzce Üniversitesi Araştırma ve Uygulama Hastanesinde çalışan 206 hemşire oluşturmaktadır. Veriler Kişisel Bilgi Formu, Sağlıklı Yaşam Biçimi Davranış Ölçeği ve Sağlık Kaygısı Envanteri ile toplanmıştır. Ayrıca Sağlık Kaygısı Envanterine güvenlik arama ve kaçınma davranışını saptamak amacıyla iki alt ölçek eklenmiştir. Veriler SPSS 15.0 programı kullanılarak değerlendirilmiştir. Değerlendirmede Frekans, Yüzde, Ortalama, Standart sapma, Minimum, Maximum, t testi, Varyans analizi, Korelasyon ve Regresyon analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda hemşirelerin SYBD ölçeği puan ortalamasının orta düzeyde olduğu (119,97±1,4), en yüksek puanın kendini gerçekleştirme (35±0,4) alt ölçeğinden alındığı, bunu sağlık sorumluluğu (23±0,38), kişilerarası destek (19,45±0,23), stres yönetimi (16,6±0,25), beslenme (15,7±0,23) ve egzersiz?in (9,34±0,25) izlediği saptanmıştır. Hemşirelerin sağlık kaygısı puan ortalaması düşük bulunmuştur (54,5±0,78). Yapılan çoklu regresyon analizi sonucu sağlıklı yaşam biçimi üzerinde hanedeki birey sayısı, çalışma süresi ve yaşamın çoğunun geçirildiği yerin belirleyici olduğu, sağlık kaygısı içinse mülkiyet durumu ve hanedeki birey sayısının belirleyici olduğu saptanmıştır. Bekar, 20-24 yaş grubunda ve yaşamın çoğunu köyde geçirenlerin egzersiz yapma alışkanlıkları yüksek bulunmuştur. Evli ve iki çocuk sahibi hemşirelerin beslenme alışkanlıkları iyi iken ayda ortalama 10-12 nöbet tutanların beslenme alışkanlıklarının kötü olduğu saptanmıştır. Çalışma süresi bir yıldan az olanların kişilerarası destekleri yüksek düzeydedir. Geliri giderine denk olanların ve kronik hastalığı olmayanların stres yönetiminin iyi olduğu, işinden memnun olanların kendini gerçekleştirme düzeylerinin yüksek olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Bir çocuk sahibi hemşirelerin sağlık kaygısı yüksek bulunmuştur. Erkeklerin kaçınma davranışı, kadınların güvenlik arama davranış puanı yüksek bulunmuştur. SYBD ölçeği ile SKE arasında ilişi saptanmamıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda önerilerde bulunulmuştur.This cross-sectional study has been done to determine the level of health anxiety and the healthy life style behaviors of nurses at Duzce University Research Hospital. This study consists of 206 nurses at Duzce University Research and Application Hospital. The data has been collected by using Personal Information Form, Health Promotion Life-Style Profile (HPLSP) and Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI). Additionaly two sub-scales have been added to Health Anxiety Inventory to state, 'seek for safety' and 'avoidance' behaviors. The data has been evaluated by using SPSS 15.0 software. Frequency, Percent, Average, Standard Deviation, Minimum, Maximum, T Test, Variance Analysis, Correlation and Regression Analysis have been used in evaluation. The following data has been determined at the end of the study; The average score of HPLSP (119.97±1.4) was middle level; highest score (35±0.4) was delivered from self-actualization sub-scale and followed by health responsibility (23±0.38), interpersonal support (19.45±0.23), stress management (16.6±0.25), nutrition (15.7±0.23) and exercise (9.34±0.25). Health Anxiety Average Score of nurses was 'low' (54.5±0.78). As a result of multiple regression analysis; the number of individuals in the household, working hours and where the individuals spent most of their lives were found effective on healthy lifestyle behaviors. The properties they owned and the number of individuals in the household were effective on health anxiety. Exercise habit of single nurses, aged between 20-24 and spent most of their lives in village was high. The nutrition habit of married nurses with two kids was good; of nurses who did 10-12 night shifts a month was bad. Who work less than one year, their interpersonal support was higher. For those who have equal income and expanses were 'better' at stress management. The level of self-realization was 'high' for those who are satisfied with their jobs. The ones who had no chronic diseases were 'good' at stress management. The health anxiety of nurses have a child was high. `Avoidance' in men; `seek for safety' behaviour in women was `high'. There was no relation between HPLSP and HAI. Recommendations have been made with the findings of research

Türk ön koltuk yolcuları arasında emniyet kemeri kullanımına ilişkin faktörler

This thesis included three separate studies, which were observational, interview and survey studies, on seat belt use among Turkish front seat occupants. The observation study investigated occupant characteristics and environmental factors affecting seat belt use. Seat belts were used significantly more among females and older occupants than among males and younger occupants; and on intercity roads, at weekends and in the afternoons than on city roads, at weekdays and in the evenings. The interview study investigated the common reasons for using and not using a seat belt in different trip types, qualitatively. Safety, situational conditions, habit and avoiding punishment were the commonly reported reasons for using a seat belt, while situational conditions, not believing the effectiveness of seat belt use, discomfort and no habit of using a seat belt were the commonly reported reasons for not using a seat belt, for most of the trip types. In the third study, seat belt use both on urban and rural roads were explained with the basic and extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) models and Health Belief Model (HBM), using Structural Equation Modeling. Basic TPB model showed a good fit to the data, while extended TPB model and HBM showed a low fit to the data. Within TPB constructs, attitudes and the subjective norm had a positive and significant relation to intentions to use a seat belt. Results were discussed for their implications to traffic safety in Turkey, along with limitations of the study and suggestions for further studies.M.S. - Master of Scienc

The role of deliberate planning, car habit and resistance to change in public transportation mode use

Few studies have examined the role of deliberate planning, car habit and resistance to change in relation to transportation mode use. The aim of this study was to examine the relative role of components in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), car habit and resistance to change in use of public transportation. A postal questionnaire survey was carried out in a randomly obtained representative sample (n = 1039) of the Norwegian population living in the six largest urban areas of Norway. The sample was randomly recruited from the Norwegian population registry. The results showed that an isolated TPB-model was better fitted to the data than an isolated habit-resistance to change model. The isolated TPB also explained substantially more of the variance in intentions to use public transport compared to the habit-based model. A combined model including the TPB, car habit and resistance to change was also found to have good fit. Within this model, the most important predictor of intentions to use public transport was strong subjective norms of public transportation mode use. Favorable attitudes towards public transport mode use were weakly related to intentions, when car habit and resistance to change were accounted for in the model. Perceived control was not mediated by intentions to use public transport and solely related directly to use. Car habit was a negative predictor of these intentions. It is concluded that car habit is not the sole factor related to intentions of using public transportation and that social cognition and social influence are instrumental in promoting use of such transportation. Use of public transportation seems to partly reflect a planned and deliberate psychological process

The role of attitudes, transport priorities, and car use habit for travel mode use and intentions to use public transportation in an urban Norwegian public

The present study aims to identify clusters of transport users and to examine the role of transport priorities, travel mode use attitudes, and car use habit on travel mode use. An additional aim is to test whether such factors predict intentions to use public transport and reported use of public transport. Data were collected via a self-completion questionnaire survey conducted in June and August 2013. Participants included a total of 1039 people who were randomly selected from the urban regions of Norway using the Norwegian population registry. Due to missing data on travel mode use variables the analyses were conducted with 546 observed cases. Two clusters of transport users were identified; individuals who primarily use public and health-promoting transport (e.g. public transportation users, bicyclists) and car users. Logistic regression analysis showed that older age, strength of the car use habit, and priorities of flexibility (e.g. prioritize being able to choose the exact time of travel) increased the odds of car use. Structural Equation Modeling showed that priority of convenience, priority of safety and security, and favorable attitudes towards public transport use were positive predictors of intentions to use public transportation, while car use habit was a negative predictor of both intentions to use public transportation and reported public transportation use. Traffic safety campaigns aiming to increase public transportation use in the urban Norwegian public could focus on increasing the attractiveness of public transport, particularly by improving flexibility of such transport