Drivers’ perception about risky behaviors while driving: A cross-sectional study in a low-income setting in Maputo City-Mozambique
TL;DR
Investigating drivers’ perception about risky behaviors while driving found that drivers admit to engaging in multiple risky behaviors, yet simultaneously view themselves as safer than their fellow motorists.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction: Road traffic accidents are a major public health problem, which is mainly determined by human behavior. Therefore, drivers’ behavior has received a growing attention from scholars concerned with road safety in several contexts worldwide. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate drivers’ perception about risky behaviors while driving. Method: This was a prospective quantitative study with cross-sectional design, involving a sample of 402 drivers, among Eduardo Mondlane University employees and students. A dichotomous self-reported questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire included six behaviors: bribing police officers, sleep-deprived driving, drink-driving, speeding, traffic light violation, and irregular overtaking. Descriptive statistics analysis and logistic regression for odds ratios were performed. Results: The results showed that drivers admitted to relying on the studied behaviors in a range of 15.5–30.1%. Contrarily, they viewed other drivers as performing the same behaviors in a range of 70.3–85.8%. Being male, an unlicensed driver, and regular use of alcohol increased the risk of performing risky driving. Conclusion: Drivers admit to engaging in multiple risky behaviors, yet simultaneously view themselves as safer than their fellow motorists.