Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire Research Articles

Assessment of Risky Riding Behaviors Using the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ) among University Students

Assessment of Risky Riding Behaviors Using the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ) among University Students

Assessing the Self-Report Instruments of Younger Versus Older Riders Involved in Near-Miss Motorcycle Incidents

Road accidents pose severe and pervasive consequences, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where both the population and fatal accidents among youth and the elderly are steadily increasing. Therefore, this study aims to develop a model for risky behavior in near-miss incidents among motorcycle riders in Thailand. It intends to compare models between younger and older riders utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) with a multi-group approach. The data were examined employing modified instruments derived from the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ). Samples depicting risky riding behavior were obtained from both younger and older rider groups. Parameter invariance testing revealed differences between the two groups. Control errors notably emerged as the predominant factor contributing to near-miss incidents for both age groups. Speeding was identified as the primary concern for the younger group, while adverse weather conditions were deemed crucial for the older group. Based on this study, policy recommendations endorse the creation of targeted training programs for novice riders, emphasizing adherence to legal speed limits and the adoption of safe riding practices. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of preparing riders, especially those in the older age group, for adverse weather conditions. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-02-019 Full Text: PDF

Identifying Factors Causing Motorcycle Crashes Among Young Adults in India Using Modified Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire

Identifying Factors Causing Motorcycle Crashes Among Young Adults in India Using Modified Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire

Utilizing MRBQ to investigate risky rider behavior in Chinese young riders: combining the effect of Big Five personality and sensation seeking

The motorcycle rider behavior questionnaire (MRBQ) is one of the most extensively used questionnaires to explore risky rider behavior worldwide. However, whether previous research adopted other scales or other versions of MRBQ, neither of them fully cover the typicality of the risky behavior in Chinese motorcyclists. Moreover, past research investigated the MRBQ while combining the joint effect of Big Five personality (BFP) and sensation seeking lacks. Our study aims to revise the Chinese version of MRBQ in young riders and explore the relationship among BFP, sensation seeking, MRBQ, and self-reported traffic violations. 278 online participants filled out the Big Five Inventory measuring BFP, the sensation seeking scale, MRBQ items selected from previous versions in other countries, and self-reported traffic violations from the traffic management system (crashes, traffic violation frequency, penalty points, and fines). Exploratory factor analysis suggested 7 factors (safety equipment, traffic errors, speed violations, control errors, stunts, traffic violations, and safety violations), and the internal consistency reliability ranged from 0.58–0.91. The hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that agreeableness and conscientiousness in BFP negatively predicted the total MRBQ score, while openness in BFP and sensation seeking positively predicted the total MRBQ score. In addition, the Poisson regression analysis suggested that all kinds of self-reported traffic violations could be positively predicted by the total MRBQ score. Path analysis suggested the fully mediating role of sensation seeking. In conclusion, the Chinese version of the MRBQ is useful for future studies and the sensation seeking plays a mediating role between the Big Five personality and MRBQ.

Sociodemographic characteristics, riding behavior and motorcycle crash involvement: a structural equation modeling approach.

The increasing rate of traffic crashes involving motorcyclists have turned into a public health and road safety concern. Furthermore, riding behaviors and their precedent factors have been identified as potential determinants for assessing, intervening, and preventing traffic injuries of motorists. This study aimed to identify the effects of a set of demographic and motorcycle-related variables as potential predictors on collision through riding behavior components. The study sample was 1,611 motorcyclists who were selected through time-location sampling method from three cities in Iran. They responded a Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ) and a general questionnaire including sociodemographic and riding-related items. The chosen method to analyze the data was Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through Lavaan package version 0.6-8 of R software version 4.1.0. All participants were male (100%) with a mean age of 28.1(SD=8.5) years. About 24.4% of riders experienced at least one crash during the last year and the majority of riders did not hold a motorcycle license (80.1%). The SEM model showed that riding license (0.06) and frequency of riding (0.09) had a direct effect on crash involvement. Some latent variables including speed violation (0.13), stunts (0.11) and traffic violation (0.07) had positive effects and safety violation (-0.07) had a negative effect on crash history. There were indirect effects between age and history of crash mediated by speed violation (-0.04), stunts (-0.04), traffic violation (-0.02) and safety violation (0.01). Also, the indirect effects of riding frequency on crash involvement were mediated by speed violation (0.01), traffic violation (0.006) and safety violation (-0.01). This study's main finding is that age and riding frequency are the main variables indirectly affecting crash involvement. Therefore, periodic training courses for younger riders is essential in order to decreasing crash involvements.

Exploring the Factor Structure of a Modified Motorcyclist Behavior Questionnaire: Croatian Context

Road crashes, particularly those involving vulnerable road users, such as motorcyclists, are a major public concern worldwide, especially on rural roads. To understand the factors contributing to the heightened risk experienced by motorcyclists, a survey was conducted among motorcycle riders. The Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ), a widely used self-report instrument, was employed to gather insights into motorcyclists' perspectives, behaviors, and attitudes regarding road safety. This study focused on the factor structure of the MRBQ within the context of Croatia. Principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was performed to examine the underlying factors of motorcyclist behavior. Five distinct factors were identified: violations (e.g., speeding and reckless riding), errors (e.g., risky maneuvers and inattention), stunts (e.g., wheelie), safety equipment (e.g., use of protective gear), and substance use (e.g., riding under influence). These factors explained 40.44% of the variance among the analyzed items. These findings contribute to the understanding of motorcycle rider behavior patterns. Future research will explore the relationship between these factors and motorcyclists' involvement in risky situations and crashes.

Self-reported Motorcycle Riding Behavior in Southeast of Iran

Background: Motorcyclists are among the greatest vulnerable individuals of road accident victims. Their behavior has a significant correlation with increased injury and mortality rate. Determining the risky and unsafe behaviors of motorcycle drivers is necessary for preventing riders and other citizen from potential accident risks. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the risky driving behaviors of motorcyclists in Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 2019 in Sistan and Baluchestan Province as the second widest province of Iran. Using randomized sampling method, we included 613 motorcyclists from the province. To collect data, the Persian version of Motorcycle Riding Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ), as a standard questionnaire, was used. For data analysis, descriptive and analytical statistics such as one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), t-test, and linear regression were used by SPSS software version 21. Results: The age range of 57% of the motor riders was 15 - 30 years, and 50% of them did not use any safety equipment. About 58% of the subjects had started motorcycle riding under 18 years old, and 73% of them did not have a motorcycle riding license. Moreover, more than 50% of motorcyclists used mobile phones while driving. The mean score of driving behavior (106 ± 22) was desirable. Based on multivariate analysis, job, average amount of riding, lacking a riding license, type of motor, alert from police, non-fasting helmet band, exceeding speed limits, fatigue, and hand-free riding were the main predictors of risky riding score (P < 0.05). Conclusions: According to our results, the riding behavior of motorcyclists was desirable; however, many people used motorcycles without a license and safety equipment, which increases high-risk behaviors. Considering the potential dangers of motor riders, it seems necessary to hold training courses to obtain motorcycle certification and how to use safety equipment.

The rider behavior questionnaire to explore associations of motorcycle taxi crashes in Cartagena (Colombia)

Objective This study aimed to identify the association between behavioral factors and crashes of motorcycle taxi riders using the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ). Methods This study was a cross-sectional survey of motorcycle taxi riders in Cartagena. The MRBQ was adapted to the socio-cultural context and contained 45 items. The survey was conducted between February 2019 and May 2019. The items of the MRBQ were processed using factor analysis. Four logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between behavioral factors and aspects of demographics, operating conditions, and experiencing near-crashes, crashes, traffic tickets, and at-fault crashes. Results Four hundred and thirty-eight motorcyclists participated. The exploratory factor analysis extracted five elements: stunts, speed violations, traffic errors, control errors, and safety, explaining 42% of the variance. The increase in riding per week showed significant differences with stunts, speed violations, and traffic errors. Riding experiences, traffic errors, control errors, and safety were significantly associated with crashes and near-crashes. Stunts were the strongest factors related to traffic tickets. Speed violations were the strongest factors associated with at-fault accidents. Conclusions The study showed recent results considering behavioral, exposure, and operational conditions in a group of motorcycle taxi riders. The study recommends some practical implications for the well-being of motorcyclists and road safety.

Examining risky riding behavior in India using Motorcycle rider behavior questionnaire

Powered two-wheelers (PTW) constitute the most vulnerable type of road user, primarily due to their lack of protection compared to other motorized vehicles, which can lead to a severe accident in the event of crashes. A notable increase in the percentage of PTW accidents resulting in fatalities has raised a serious need for further research in understanding riding behavior. The Motorcycle rider behavior questionnaire (MRBQ) based studies have shown promising results by using MRBQ to relate riding behavior with crash risk. Despite numerous studies using the MRBQ technique and inconsistency in derived inferences across the studies highlighted the need to revise MRBQ and carry out predictive validity for capturing the correct riding behavior of Indian riders. Therefore, this research modified the previously available questionnaire by considering the focus group's opinion, consisting of twenty professional riders, two transportation experts, and two traffic police officers. Additionally, the predictive validity check of MRBQ was carried out using a sample of Indian riders consisting of 392 participants. The exploratory factor analysis of the MRBQ revealed a 32 item version of the questionnaire divided into a four-factor structure (traffic errors, control errors, speed violations, and stunts). The present research highlighted some critical dissimilarities between PTW riders of India and other countries. The low mean score (based on the Likert scale) of the items under the four-factor structure indicated overall a safe PTW rider behavior of Indian riders. Among the four factors, speed violation showed the highest mean score and stunts showed the least mean score indicating frequent and infrequent aberrant ridding behaviors, respectively. A known group construct validity check revealed that gender had a significant and age an insignificant effect on the reporting of aberrant riding behaviors. Furthermore, a negative binomial regression analysis revealed that traffic error had the highest incidence rate ratio, confirming it to be the most significant predictor of crash risk for Indian riders. Finally, the study briefly discussed counter-measure strategies targeting specific riding behavior.

Explaining Sex Differences in Motorcyclist Riding Behavior: An Application of Multi-Group Structural Equation Modeling.

Road accidents are caused by humans, vehicles, and road environments. Human attitudes affect behavioral changes and can lead to unsafe riding behavior. The sex of an individual is a key factor that affects their riding behavior. We aimed to use structural equation modeling (SEM) by analyzing the multi-group SEM between men and women and applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the locus of control (LC) theory. The data used in the research were collected from all over Thailand, consisting of 1516 motorcycle riders (903 men and 613 women) aged over 20 years. A self-administered questionnaire was designed for data collection of the riding behavior using the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ), including traffic errors, control errors, stunt frequency, and safety equipment. We found that riding behaviors between men and women were significantly different in both theories. For men, TPB showed that the main factors that highly influenced motorcycle riding behavior (MRB) were the attitudes based on health motivation (AHM) and perceived behavior control (PC); for women, AHM produced a stronger effect than in men. However, for the subjective norms (SN) factor, we found no direct effect on MRB, but did find an indirect effect through the attitudes based on severity (ASE) in both sexes. Particularly for women, the indirect influence value of the SN factor was higher. For women, the LC showed that internal factors had more influence than external factors. The same was found for men, but the effect in women was significantly stronger. We found that sex significantly affected the MRB. Therefore, policies must be implemented that address each group specifically as their attitudes and behaviors are different.

A Hybrid of Structural Equation Modeling and Artificial Neural Networks to Predict Motorcyclists’ Injuries: A Conceptual Model in a Case-Control Study

Background:To model, the predictors of injuries caused the hospitalization of motorcyclists using a hybrid structural equation modeling-artificial neural network (SEM-ANN) considering a conceptual model.Methods:In this case-control study, 300 cases and 156 controls were enrolled using a cluster random sampling. The cases were selected among injured motorcyclists in refereed to Imam Reza Hospital and Tabriz Shohada Hospital, Tabriz, Iran since Mar 2013. The predictability of injury by motorcycle-riding behavior questionnaire (MRBQ), Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) along with its subscales and motorcycle related variables was modeled using SEM-ANN. By SEM, linear direct and indirect relationships were assessed. To improve the SEM, the ANN was utilized sequentially to account for the nonlinear and interaction effects that is not supported by SEM.Results:The predictors of injury were: MRBQ, ADHD, and its subscales, marital status, education level, riding for fun, engine volume, hyper active child, dark hour riding, cell phone answering, driving license (All P less than 0.05). In addition, the findings reveal the Mediating role of MRBQ for the relationship between underlying predictors and injury. Furthermore, ANN showed higher specificity (95.45 vs.77.88) and accuracy (90.76 vs.79.94) than usual SEM which lead us to introduce the second and third order effect of MRBQ into the modified SEM.Conclusion:The hybrid model provided results that are more accurate; considering the results of the modeling, having intervention programs on ADHD motorcyclists, those have the hyperactive child, and those who answer their cell phones while driving, and improving the motorcyclists’ goal is highly recommended.

Motorcyclist risky riding behaviors and its predictors in an Iranian population

:Background:Motorcyclist’s behavior plays an important role in increasing the mortality rate caused by traffic crash. Identifying the risky behaviors of motorcycle riders is essential to maintain and improve the health of motorcycle riders and other community members. The aim of this study was to determine the riding patterns and risky riding behaviors of motorcycle riders in Bukan as a marginal small-sized Kurdish populated district in North-West of Iran and investigating some predictors of it. Methods:In this cross-sectional, 340 motorcycle riders of Bukan were studied. By referring to city health center and preparing the city map, the entire city was divided into 14 clusters based on the areas covered by the health centers. Then, 7 clusters were randomly selected out of these 14 clusters. Motorcycle riding behavior questionnaire (MRBQ) was used to study the risky behaviors of motorcycle riders while riding. Both bivariate and multivariate regression analysis methods were used to study the associations.Results:All participants were male. Their mean age was 30.2 (SD=9.1). The most common risky behaviors possessed by at least 23% of motorcycle riders included 1) inappropriate control of motorcycle when turning, 2) taking another person without helmet by motorcycle, 3) riding without helmet, 4) taking more than one person by motorcycle, 5) exceeding the permissible speed outer city, 6) exceeding the permissible speed inside the city and 7) carrying heavy load by motorcycle. Mean normalized MRBQ score was 30.5 (SD=11.2). Based on multivariate analysis, age, lacking a riding license, riding experience and average amount of riding were the independent predictors of risky riding score.Conclusions:Among the predictive factors that led to high risk behaviors in the studied motorcyclists were low age, marital status, low driving experience, low education, non-use of safety equipment lack of certification. This can be done by increasing drivers' awareness of laws and regulations and promoting the culture of traffic safety to prevent high-risk behaviors in motorcyclists in order to prevent possible injuries.

Development of Self-Assessment Indicators for Motorcycle Riders in Thailand: Application of the Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ)

The purposes of this research are (1) to create a motorcycle riding behavior measurement model for a Thai population by Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ) modification with exploratory factor analysis (EFA); (2) to verify the measurement model by second-order confirmatory factor analysis (second-order CFA); and (3) to define the guidelines of the self-assessment report for Thai people in terms of riding motorcycles. Collected data were distributed among four areas: metro-municipalities, municipalities, district municipalities, and non-municipalities from five regions. The sample consisted of 1516 motorcycle riders who were at least 20 years old. Of these riders, 91.4% had motorcycle riding licenses, 84.4% had over five years of experience in motorcycle riding, 75.5% used a motorcycle to go to work/study, and 82.1% used a helmet sometimes. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and second-order confirmatory factor analysis (second-order CFA) were used for measurement model creation. The results presented 26 indicators that were confirmed to compose the motorcycle riding behavior of Thai people at a statistical significance level of α = 0.05; these were separated into four factors, namely, traffic error, control error, stunts, and safety equipment. The results of this MRBQ study can inform future study of the motorcycle riding behavior of Thai people.

Motorcyclist risky riding behaviors and its predictors in an Iranian population.

Motorcyclist's behavior plays an important role in increasing the mortality rate caused by traffic crash. Identifying the risky behaviors of motorcycle riders is essential to maintain and improve the health of motorcycle riders and other community members. The aim of this study was to determine the riding patterns and risky riding behaviors of motorcycle riders in Bukan as a marginal small-sized Kurdish populated district in North-West of Iran and investigating some predictors of it. In this cross-sectional, 340 motorcycle riders of Bukan were studied. By referring to city health center and preparing the city map, the entire city was divided into 14 clusters based on the areas covered by the health centers. Then, 7 clusters were randomly selected out of these 14 clusters. Motorcycle riding behavior questionnaire (MRBQ) was used to study the risky behaviors of motorcycle riders while riding. Both bivariate and multivariate regression analysis methods were used to study the associations. All participants were male. Their mean age was 30.2 (SD=9.1). The most common risky behaviors possessed by at least 23% of motorcycle riders included 1) inappropriate control of motorcycle when turning, 2) taking another person without helmet by motorcycle, 3) riding without helmet, 4) taking more than one person by motorcycle, 5) exceeding the permissible speed outer city, 6) exceeding the permissible speed inside the city and 7) carrying heavy load by motorcycle. Mean normalized MRBQ score was 30.5 (SD=11.2). Based on multivariate analysis, age, lacking a riding license, riding experience and average amount of riding were the independent predictors of risky riding score. Among the predictive factors that led to high risk behaviors in the studied motorcyclists were low age, marital status, low driving experience, low education, non-use of safety equipment lack of certification. This can be done by increasing drivers' awareness of laws and regulations and promoting the culture of traffic safety to prevent high-risk behaviors in motorcyclists in order to prevent possible injuries.

Factors associated with Motorcyclist risky riding behaviors in southern Iran

Background: Motorcyclist’s behavior has significant relationship with increased accidents mortality rate among them. Determining the risky behaviors of motorcycle drivers is essential for preventing riders and other community members from accident risks. The aim of this study was to determine the risky driving behaviors of motorcyclists in Fars province of Iran in 2017. Methods: In this cross sectional study was done in 2017 total number of 1195 motorcyclist from Fars province were included. In this study we collected the data using the Persian version of Motorcycle riding behavior questionnaire (MRBQ) was used to study the risky behaviors of motorcycle riders while riding and a checklist designed by the researchers for demographic variables. SPSS 22 was used to analyze the data. Results: All participants were male and the mean age was 28.28±8.56 years. The mean score of MRBQ was 53.54±23.44. The mean score of MRBQ was higher among the motorcyclists with the history of accident in the past year, those who had more pleasure while driving motorcycle, those who used alcohol or substance two hours before driving, those who used more powerful motorcycle, drivers with lower education level, and those with higher usage of motorcycle (P<0.001). Conclusion: Finding of this study indicated that motorcyclists with the higher score of MRBQ are at the higher risk of traffic accidents. Therefore, designing and implementing appropriate training programs before giving driving license could improve knowledge and attitude of drivers toward the risky driving behavior.

Evaluating the relationship between adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and riding behavior of motorcyclists.

:Background:Motorcycling is one of the main causes of injury, and motorcyclists are vulnerable to road traffic injuries. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults is presumably one of the determinants of road traffic injuries and motorcyclists’ risky behavior. Despite the few studies on the relationship between motorcycle injuries and adult ADHD, their association has not been investigated using standardized instruments. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between motorcyclists’ adult ADHD and risky riding behaviors.Methods:This community-based, cross-sectional study was performed on 340 motorcyclists in Bukan city, west Azerbaijan province, Iran in 2015 and 2016 using a cluster-random sampling in seven areas of the city. According to the city map used by Bukan’s Health Centers, the city was divided into 14 clusters. Then, seven clusters (out of 14) were selected randomly. To reach the anticipated sample size, the data were collected from these seven clusters. In this study, the data collection instruments were: standard Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ), Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) questionnaire and a checklist designed by the researchers. The Stata 13 software package was used to analyze the collected data. Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were performed to study the linear relationship between ADHD screening and MRBQ scores.Results:All 340 participants were male and the mean age was 30.2 years (SD=9.1). In addition, 22.1% of motorcyclists had a history of motorcycle crash. Bivariate analysis showed a significant association between risky riding behaviors and age, motorcycling records, and mean of riding hours per day (P-value less than 0.05). Multivariate analysis confirmed the correlation between ADHD and risky riding behaviors in all subscales (A, B, D) (p less than 0.05).Conclusions:Those with a high ADHD screening score are more likely to have risky riding behaviors.

The short Persian version of motorcycle riding behavior questionnaire and its interchangeability with the full version.

The aim of current study was to develop a valid and reliable short motorcycle riding behavior questionnaire (SMRBQ) and assess its interchangeability with the original 48-item tool. Through a psychometric study in Bukan district of Iran in 2015, the most recent available Persian version of the motorcycle riding behavior questionnaire (MRBQ) was used as a reference to develop its short version, the SMRBQ. The preliminary version was prepared through expert reviews, and its dimension was further reduced through principal component analysis (PCA). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was then applied on the remaining items and the final version was developed with 23 items. The validity, consistency, agreement and interchangeability of the SMRBQ were assessed in parallel with the MRBQ using several statistical methods including Kendall’s Tau, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), Bland-Altman plot and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. All the 340 participants were males. The mean age of the participants was 30.2 (SD = 9.1). SMRBQ was developed including 23 items. The mean normalized score for the full version was 30.5 (SD = 11.2) and it was 30 (SD = 13.9) for the short version. There was a high correlation between the normalized scores of MRBQ and SMRBQ (Kendall’s Tau = 0.82). The ICC of the interchangeability of the full version and short version scales was as high as 0.92 (95% CI: 90.2–93.5). The scale had adequate internal consistency based on the calculated Cronbach’s alpha which was 0.85 for the scale. Bland-Altman and ROC curve analysis confirmed the interchangeability and criterion validity of the SMRBQ. The Persian version of SMRBQ was found to be a valid, reliable and feasible tool for assessing motorcycle riding behavior in the studied population.

Predictive ability of underlying factors of motorcycle rider behavior: an application of logistic quantile regression for bounded outcomes.

Background: The human factors are of great importance, especially Motorcycle Rider Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in motorbike riders in road traffic injuries. This study aimed to predict MRBQ score by ADHD score and the underlying predictors by the logistic quantile regression (LQR), as a new strategy.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 311 motorbike riders were randomly sampled by a clustering method in Bukan, northwest of Iran. The data were collected by MRBQ and ADHD standard surveys. To assess the relationship at all levels of MRBQ distribution, LQR in 5th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 95th quantiles of MRBQ score was utilized to assess the predictability of ADHDscore and its subscales in addition to the underlying predictors of MRBQ score. To do this, an unadjusted and as well as adjusted 4-step hierarchical modeling was used.Results: Almost in all quantiles of MRBQ scores, direct and significant relationships were observed between MRBQ score and ADHD score and its subscales (coefficients: 0.02 to 0.10, all P < 0.05). Besides, the driving period (coefficients: -0.58 to -0.95, P < 0.05) and hour driving (coefficients: 0.42 to 0.52, P < 0.05) also came to be the significant predictors of MRBQ score.Conclusion: ADHD score and driving parameters can be taken into the consideration when planning actions on the motorcycle rider behaviors at all levels of the MRBQ.

Road safety and traffic medicine in Iran: Achievements and challenges

Road traffic injuries found to be the second rank of Years of Life Lost (YLL) and third rank of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) in Iran based on Global Burden of Disease 2010. The number of annual fatalities, which had been on the rise for several decades, reached to the maximum number of over 27500 deaths in 2005. The number decreased to 23000 in 2010 and less than 18000 in 2013. The reduction in number of deaths happened despite a four-fold increase in number of motor vehicles. Some of the interventions that might be contributing to this achievement include the following: a) the new traffic law passed in 2010 that replaced the previous one dating back to 1968. Heavier penalties for major offences like: speeding, driving under the influence and dangerous driving are considered in the new law; b) stricter law enforcement by traffic polices(1); c) mass media campaign for traffic injury prevention (1); d) using fixed speed camera systems and laser speed guns; e) universal coverage of hospital treatment costs for all traffic injuries by Ministry of Health and Medical Education(2); and f) graduated driving license. On the other side, there are areas that need to be improved, including: a) driving behavior of both public and private drivers; b) driving under influence of drugs specially among public vehicle drivers (3,4) c) motorcycle riding behavior with special emphasis on helmet use (5); d) medical and psychological fitness to drive examinations; e) vehicle safety specifically for cars manufactured within the country; f) transportation engineering with emphasis on expansion of railroads and safe highways.

Personality Disorders in Motorcycle Injuries: a Case- control Study in Tabriz

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare personality characteristics between injured and uninjured motorcyclists. Methods: This study as part of a larger case-control study was carried out on 130 motorcycle traumatic patients along with 91 control patients admitted to Shohada and Imam Reza university hospitals as the two referral specialty centers in East Azarbyjan Province of Iran in 2013. The Persian version of the motorcycle Riding behavior questionnaire (MRBQ) was used to assess riding behavior. Also, Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III was used to assess personality disorders and psychiatric syndromes. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used as the main analysis method to estimate the adjusted odds ratios of the subscales of Millon-III and risky behavior scales. The statistical analysis was conducted using Stata version 11 statistical software package. Results: Mean/median scores of the personality subscales of schizoid, alienated, obsessive-compulsive, self-abusing, schizotypal, paranoid, post-traumatic stress, thought disorders, major depression, delusional disorder in the injured group were higher than in the control group (P<0.05). However, histrionic personality disorder was observed less in the injured group than the control group (P <0.01). According to the logistic regression models obsessive-compulsive and paranoid disorders were considered to be risk factors in motorcycle injuries. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, obsessive-compulsive personality was a risk factor for motorcycle traffic injuries.