Knowledge and Practice of Motorbike Riders on the Prevention of Road Traffic Accidents

Abstract

Introduction: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are considered one of the important public health problems worldwide. Amongst the various types of accidents, motorbike accidents have been increasing day by day.
 Objective: To assess the level of knowledge and practice of motorbike riders in the prevention of road traffic accidents.
 Place & period of study: The study had been performed in the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and different motorbike workshops in Dhaka city from January 2018 to December 2018.
 Materials & Method: The cross-sectional study had been conducted among 193 motorbike riders to assess the level of knowledge and practice regarding the prevention of road traffic accidents. A purposive sampling technique was adopted and a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire collected data through face-to-face interviews.
 Results: The mean age of the respondents was 34.56±7.69 (SD) years where half of the respondents (50.8%) were graduates and above. The majority of the respondents (65.3%) were service holders. The mean years of driving were 7.15±6.9 years (SD). The majority of the respondents (63.7%) had no RTA within one year and the rest (36.3%) had RTA within one year. Most of the respondents (82.4%) had average knowledge of traffic signs and signals and on the other hand, most of the respondents (82.4%) had poor practice in traffic signs and signals. A highly significant statistical difference was found between knowledge of signs and signals and practice on signs and signals (p<0.001).
 Conclusion: Prevention of road traffic accidents is crucial to creating awareness and taking proper measures toward road safety.