Awareness and practice of road safety measures among college going students in Guntur City

Abstract

Background and Aim: In most regions of the world the global epidemic of traffic injuries is still increasing. It has been estimated that unless immediate action is taken, road deaths will rise to the fifth leading cause of deaths by 2030. Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) are the leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 29 and second leading cause of mortality among 20-24 years of age. Simple measures such as awareness and practice of road safety measures can effectively reduce the impact of RTAs on the people’s lives. The present study was aimed to assess the awareness levels of road safety measures among college students in Guntur city. Materials and Methods: The present cross sectional study was done among 450 college students. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire for evaluation of the Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of two-wheeler driving was used. Results: History of using their own vehicles was given by 73.33% of the participants. Only 14.66% have ever attended awareness training program. Only 46% of the participants wear helmet while driving. Conclusion: The level of knowledge regarding road safety measures was satisfactory but interpretation of traffic signs was poor. Strict enforcement of laws and periodic organization of traffic awareness campaigns are essential for checking out risky practices in driving.