hello everybody
in an attempt to support my brother zahma 212, here I'm presenting some facts of why people in Oman involve with road traffic accidents- RTAs.
Considering the age group most involved in RTA in Oman, the Royal Oman Police statistics (2009) show that higher rates of RTAs are among age group of 26- 50 years old. Moreover, males are more involved in RTAs than females according to the same statistics. Frapr (1992), cited in Glendon and Cernecca (2003), highlights that age and gender are social perspectives that are associated with differences in drivers behavior and attention to road safety.
Peer pressure is considered to be another social factor as well. In a survey conducted by the focal point in the ministry of health in 2002, results showed that young male adults are more involved in RTA due to several socio- psychological factors. Showing off in front of girls and peers and the encouragement of friends to drive too fast are the main factors associated with RTA (Ministry of Health 2002). Moreover, the survey shows that novice drivers may be influenced to drive too fast when they are accompanied by an expert driver who does speed. According to the Peden et al (2004), young road users are at high risk of RTA because of risk taking behaviors such as dangerous overtaking.
Other risk factors may be speeding, drink driving and not following road safety measures such as wearing seat- belts.
In fact there are many other reasons why people meet with RTAs in Oman. Fatigue, speed and talking on the mobile phone are examples of causes of RTAs. According to statistics from Royal Oman Police (2009), from 1999 to 2004, the first cause of RTA was speed.
In fact there are many other reasons why people meet with RTAs in Oman. Fatigue, speed and talking on the mobile phone are examples of causes of RTAs. According to statistics from Royal Oman Police (2009), from 1999 to 2004, the first cause of RTA was speed.
The second cause of RTA in Oman was neglect. Drivers ignore road instructions, thus, they have terrible accidents. The third cause is bad driving. Fortunately, talking on the mobile phone caused three RTA in 1999 and two in 2004 which is the least leading cause of RTA.
Added to that, road capacity for the increasing number of vehicles in the road is insufficient, the thing that worsen the situation. Wang et al (2008) say that higher rates of mortality due to RTAs were found in middle- income countries due to rapid motorization that is accompanied by increasing road and vehicle density.
Moreover, owning a car in Oman is a simple and facilitated process that every person from any economical level could own a car. Banks and financing companies in Oman provides number of facilities that makes the process of owning a car accessible to everyone. This, in turn, precipitates the problem of increasing number of cars in the road, thus increasing traffic.
with regards
um Reem
um Reem
References
Royal Oman Police Statistics (2009) Annual Statistics Booklets. Muscat: Directorate General f Road Traffic
Royal Oman Police Statistics (2009) Annual Statistics Booklets. Muscat: Directorate General f Road Traffic
Ministry of Health (2002) Focal group meetings around the young men suggestions are in the field of the support of the media activities by the health dimensions and the reproductive health 2002. Appendix A 29- 30.
Peden M, Richard S, Sleet D, Mohan D, Hyder A A, Jarawan E, Mathers C (2004) World Report on Road Traffic Injury Prevention. Geneva: World Health Organisation.
Goldenbeld C, Levelt P B, Heidstra J (2000) Psychological perspectives on changing driver attitude and behaviour. Rechrche Transports Securite 67 65- 81
