Knowledge Attitude and Practice Regarding Road Safety Among Adolescents in Madikeri, Karnataka: A Descriptive Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: A combination of physical and developmental immaturity among children, and inexperience and youth-related lifestyles further increase the risk of young road users, particularly males to road traffic collisions. Improving the knowledge and practice gap among the people in the community can lead to a drastic reduction in road traffic accidents. The goals of the Motor Vehicles Act (MVA), 2019 are to improve road safety, strengthen rural transport, public transport and last-mile connectivity through automation, computerization, and online services and provide an efficient, safe, and corruption-free transport system in the country. Objectives: To assess the Knowledge Attitude and Practice regarding road safety among adolescents. Methodology: Present cross-sectional Study was carried out in 300 adolescent college (1st and 2nd PUC) going students of Madikeri (100 students from 3 different colleges) during August 1st to 31st 2019 at Madikeri town. Results: 66% replied correctly about the side of the road to be used by pedestrians, 85.6% reported correctly the legal age for driving a vehicle.  55.3% reported that is it offensive to drive without license.  65.3% told correctly about the recommended color for head lights of the vehicle.  67.3% were correctly answered the sign of hospital 87% were of the opinion that wearing helmet reduces the chances of injury, 82% were of the opinion that Using mobile phone while driving increases the chance of accidents, 70.6% were opined that owning a driving license for driving a vehicle is necessary, Practice regarding road safety rules and regulations revealed that 89% used zebra cross while crossing road, 75.3% obey road signs and rules. only 9% used Helmet while driving, 33.3% were overseeding, 24.2% were using the mobile phones while driving, 75.7% were driving without license. Conclusion: Distribution according to Knowledge regarding road safety rules needs to be improved since most of the areas have knowledge less than 50%. Majority of the participants had satisfactory knowledge about the signs related to traffic. Attitude regarding road safety rules and regulations revealed positive aspect. Regarding the practices, helmet use rate is very less i.e. 9%.