Risky Driving Behaviors among Medical Students in the Middle East: Identifying Areas for Intervention

Salman Alzayani; Randah R Hamadeh

doi:10.31686/ijier.vol3.iss3.326

Authors

Salman Alzayani

Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain
Randah R Hamadeh

Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol3.iss3.326

Abstract

A cross sectional study was conducted on medical students enrolled in the Arabian Gulf University in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The objective was to describe medical students’ risk-taking behaviors while driving and to provide recommendations for promoting safe driving behaviors among them. A self administered anonymous questionnaire was used, which included questions on demography and driving behaviors. Medical students demonstrated risk taking behaviors while driving, as 40.1% of them did not use their seatbelts, 49.6% speeded (>100km/hr), 54.7% talked on their mobile phones and 45.9% wrote/read text messages while driving. Female students had lower driving risk taking behaviors compared to males. Driving risk taking behaviors declined as students progressed in their medical years. Saudi and Kuwaiti students had more risk taking behaviors than other nationalities. Driving risk taking behaviors cluster among students according to gender, medical year and nationality. Urgent interventions are needed to promote safe driving behaviors among students.

Author Biographies

Salman Alzayani, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain

College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Randah R Hamadeh, Arabian Gulf University, Bahrain

Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine and Medical Sciences

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