An investigation of driver attitudes towards road safety in Kuwait

Statistics show that the fatalities rate per 10,000 vehicles in the State of Kuwait is about three times that in the UK, and the number of traffic accidents in Kuwait is increasing each year. In 1992, there were 16,017 traffic accidents, with 279 killed. By 2005, the number of accidents had increased to 56,235 with 451 fatalities, although the size of the vehicle fleet was only 1,134,042. This thesis presents the findings of a study of a substantial road accident database for Kuwait and a supplementary questionnaire survey to further understand related driver behaviour.<br/>Police accident reports relating to fatality and injury for the year 2002 were collected from the General Investigation Administration at the Ministry of the Interior to obtain an overview of the situation. Human behaviour and driver error were considered to be the main contributory factors, as has been found elsewhere. A questionnaire survey was undertaken to obtain a more in-depth understanding of driver behaviour and attitudes towards traffic regulations, which might relate to road accidents, and the potential acceptability of remedial measures. The questions were developed to suit the traffic environment and culture in Kuwait, and 1,528 questionnaires were completed. Analysis has shown that there are significant associations between accident involvement and other contributory factors. A road accident prediction model was developed, linking behaviour and attitudes with a number of factors such as age, sex, nationality, education level, marital status, driver education, driver training, usual speed on motorways, number of dangerous offences per year, years of driving experience, and drivers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of enforcement on total accident rate. The Generalised Linear Model (GLM) approach was used. It was found that driver attitude towards traffic regulations, enforcement, the number of critical traffic violations, nationality and age were significant contributory factors. The results will be used to influence future policy towards driving education, training and enforcement in Kuwait.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Ph.D.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Southampton

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Al-Matawah, Jamal Ahmed

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• McDonald, Mike