Enhancing Safety in the Roadway Network through Traffic Safety Culture

Abstract

Traffic safety culture has recently gained attention in the field of traffic flow management. Improvement of roadway infrastructure and vehicle design can exhibit a positive result. However, such strategies are not sufficient towards achieving comprehensive transportation safety. The Traffic safety culture is embedded in the larger context of country’s cultural norms and values, while it produces different safety outcomes even when other factors are similar. In the present assessment, the driver’s population in Baghdad with different age groups and level of education has been investigated through a field survey. A questionnaire was designed for such assessment. The total number of participated drivers in the assessment is 1052. The assessment was conducted during 2019. Traffic accident data were obtained for the last twelve years, and the participation of each age group in accident was analysed. It was noticed that the traffic Safety Culture significantly influence how drivers respond to a situation. The traffic education level and the general education level of the driver (traffic safety culture) have shown a significant influence on accident participation. It was observed that the traffic safety culture was mostly unsatisfactory among driver’s population in Baghdad; it is revealed that the traffic education strategies should be revised, and the driving theoretical course is required for the drivers before issuing a driving license. It was concluded that to control the level of road traffic accidents, and enhance safety, attention should be focused on traffic safety cultures of the drivers rather than the physical condition and the experience in driving.