Prevalence and determinants of risky driving behaviours among male workers in primary helthcare centers in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia

Background: In Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, road traffic deaths accounts for 4.7% of all mortalities. Several studies have demonstrated that the human factor is the major contributing factor to RTAs, and then vehicle and road factors. Objectives: To determine the overall prevalence of risky driving behaviours, perception toward this behaviour and determine the related factors among male workers in primary healthcare centers in Jeddah. Subjects and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out among a randomly selected sample of currently driving male workers in primary health care centres in Jeddah. Self-administered questionnaire was utilized for collecting the data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, driving history, and engagement in risky driving behaviours as well as their perception regarding these behaviours. Results: The study included 222 male workers aged 20-62 years. Majority of the participants (91.9%) had a driving license. Nearly three-quarters of the participants (75.2%) had history of road traffic accidents. (61.7%) state that they either always/often were using seat belt while driving inside the city whereas (63%) were using it always/often in high ways. Almost one third of Male (32%) was always/often using mobile phones by hands while driving. Overall, the risky driving behaviours score ranged between 32.86% and 84.29% with a mean±SD of 59.80±9.41%. The score was higher among postgraduate (p=0.001), male workers who reside outside Jeddah (p=0.039) and non-smoker Male workers (p<0.001). Therefore, they had less engagement in risky driving behaviours. The most dangerous risky driving behaviours s as perceived by them were putting the children on the driver`s lap while driving (weighted mean on a scale ranged between 1 and 5 was 4.45), exceeding speed limits within residency/school zones (weighted mean=4.41), driving in a speed exceeding speed limit by more than 25 km (weighted mean=4.28), and using cell phones with hands while driving (weighted mean=4.28). General practitioners had the highest percentage of perception of risky driving behaviours score (mean rank =148.02), p=0.019. Conclusion: The male workers in primary healthcare centers in Jeddah reported relative frequent engagement in some risky driving behaviour. There was a correlation between risky driving behaviours and perception regarding them.