Risky Driving Behaviours and Their Association With Fracture Injury Severity in Road Traffic Accident Patients.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Trauma Surgery
• Road Safety

Background:

• Road traffic injuries (RTIs) pose a significant health burden in Pakistan, often resulting in fractures.
• Unsafe driving behaviors are strongly linked to the severity of these injuries.
• Identifying behavioral predictors of injury severity is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the correlation between risky driving behaviors and the severity of injuries in patients with road traffic-related fractures in Pakistan.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 400 adult patients with road traffic-related fractures was conducted in Pakistan.
• Data were collected using questionnaires assessing demographics, driver behavior (Driver Behaviour Questionnaire - DBQ), and injury severity (Injury Severity Score - ISS).
• Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression.

Main Results:

• A significant positive correlation was found between DBQ and ISS scores (r = 0.612, p < 0.001).
• Males exhibited higher mean DBQ and ISS scores compared to females (p < 0.001).
• Risky driving behavior and older age were associated with increased injury severity, while female gender, a valid license, and experience were protective.

Conclusions:

• Risky driving behaviors are a significant factor contributing to increased injury severity in road traffic fracture patients.
• Promoting safer driving behaviors, adherence to licensing regulations, and effective driver training are essential for mitigating trauma outcomes.