Factors Associated with Distractions of Driving Attention in Young Drivers: An Attribution to Road Traffic Incidence among Children and Adolescents in Peshawar

Abstract

Objective: The factors associated with distractive driving in young drivers and its outcomes in terms of incidence they encountered.  

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Research, Khyber Institute of Child Health, Peshawar during August to November 2018.

Materials and Methods: Using systematic random sampling techniques, every 5^th car driver were selected from different parking areas of Peshawar. Self‐reported data were recorded on pre-defined checklist which included; demographic data, factors distracting attention of drivers and the information regarding the incidence they encountered due to the distracters. A total of 600 sampled drivers from different parking areas were approached for the participation in the study.  Data were entered and analyzed by SPSS version 20. 

Results: A total of 600 drivers (73.8%) male and 26.3% female) with mean age of 23.5± 4.6 years were being part of the study.  The driving distraction was reported by 568 (94.7%) of young drivers. Among the driving distraction mobile use was very common while other driving distractions included; backseat drivers 536(89.3%), adjustment of radio/music system 454(75.7%), grooming 444(74.0%), eating/drinking (370(61.7%), daydreaming 265(44.2%), advertising/billboards 245 (40.8%), passenger interference 221(36.8%) and smoking 145(24.2%) respectively. Furthermore 474(79%) experienced road traffic accidents due to driving distracters where adolescent 2210(44.3%) of adult male and female were the victims of these accidents followed by 78(16.5%), children and 47(9.9%). The mortality due to distractive driving accidents was 33(7.0%).

Conclusion: Both in-vehicle driving distractions were significant determinants of road traffic accidence experienced by young drivers in Peshawar. Among distracters; mobile used for calls and texts mostly attributed to RTA. Children, adolescent and old age people were the common victims, resulted into injuries and deaths.