Analysis of Human and Cultural Factors Causing Risk of Accidents in Jordanian Drivers

Abstract

The major objective of this research paper is to investigate the Traffic Safety culture among Jordanian drivers, and to identify common aggressive behaviors, and its association to diverse social factors. An online survey questionnaire was distributed among drivers in Jordan; samples were collected in the Amman area in 2019. The data analysis of the survey was analyzed using the statistical program SPSS. The survey questions were based on methods found in the (AAA foundation’s Annual Traffic Safety Culture). It was found that drivers in Jordan have high exposure to traffic accidents, where one in eight drivers has been injured in a traffic accident, and nearly one in three Jordanians knows someone killed in an accident. 75% of participants consider aggressive driving as a very serious threat, 60% have honked the vehicles horn excessively within 30 days, 36% often failed to signal when turning or stopping. The most common behavior for drivers during the last 30 days according to the survey is “speeding through yellow light 85%, followed by lack of Seat belt use 80%, and followed by Mobile phone use while driving78%, and followed by Speeding on highways 61%. Male drivers were more aggressive, drivers were more exposed to car accidents, they were 1.3 times to get involved in a vehicle damage accident, and four times as female to get involved in a severe injury accident. In addition, significant differences in behavior were found among drivers when compared under surveillance of police and traffic cameras, and when there is no surveillance. 88% of drivers would never cross the red light, 60% would never use the mobile phone, and 75% would never speed if they knew there was a camera or if police were around. Preventive countermeasures were recommended to increase the safety culture awareness of drivers in Jordan.