Türker Özkan

The Driver Behaviour Questionnaire in Arab Gulf countries: Qatar and United Arab Emirates

Manchester Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) is one of the most widely used instruments for measuring self-reported driving style and investigating the relationship between driving behaviour and accident involvement. In spite of the fact that Arab Gulf countries have a higher road accident fatality rate compared to European countries and USA, the DBQ has not been used in Arab countries so far. The aim of the present study was to investigate the factor structure of the DBQ, then to examine the relationships between the factors of the DBQ and accident involvement, and finally to compare DBQ scores between the two gulf countries: Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE). In this study, 1110 Qatari (263 females and 847 males) and 1286 UAE drivers (294 females and 992 males) filled a survey questionnaire including the DBQ and background information. The results showed that UAE drivers scored higher on almost all DBQ items than Qatari drivers. Surprisingly, only very small differences between men and women on the DBQ item scores were found in UAE. Factor analysis resulted in four factors, which were named as errors, pushing-speeding violations, lapses, and aggression-speeding violations. However, there were a number of differences in the factor structure of the DBQ in UAE and Qatar when compared to the theoretical four-factor structure of the DBQ. Reliabilities of some subscales were also questionably lower than in the original British data. Logistic regression analyses showed that errors, lapses, and aggression-speeding violations predicted accident involvement in Qatar but not in UAE after controlling the effect of the demographic variables (age, sex, and annual mileage).

Chapter 4 – Self-Report Instruments and Methods

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the possible problems in using survey methods in traffic research. For that it concentrates on questionnaires as self-reports. Most of the examples are from driver behaviour questionnaire (DBQ) literature because the DBQ is one of the most widely used instruments for measuring driver behaviors and, thus, provides good demonstration material. Self-reports include a great variety of different methods, including questionnaires and inventories, interviews, focus groups, and driving diaries. Common features in all these diverse self-report measures are that participants are aware that they are participating in a study; they are asked to actively reply to more or less structured questions; and their responses are taken as “face valid”—that is, answers are scored and analyzed based on the responses and not, for example, according to response time or other behavioral or physiological measurement. Self-report methodology has been used for a wide variety of research, including attitudes, opinions, beliefs, emotions, cognitive processes, behaviors, and basically any aspect of driving. Although self-reports can offer a rich source of information, they also have some serious shortcomings and limitation that have to be taken into account. Review of studies using self-report methodology shows that traffic researchers pay far too little attention to the psychometric characteristics and validity of the tests.

Age, gender, mileage and the DBQ: The validity of the Driver Behavior Questionnaire in different driver groups

The Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) is one of the most widely used instruments for measuring self-reported driving behaviors. Despite the popularity of the DBQ, the applicability of the DBQ in different driver groups has remained mostly unexamined. The present study measured aberrant driving behavior using the original DBQ (Reason, J.T., Manstead, A., Stradling, S.G., Baxter, J., Campbell, K., 1990. Errors and violations on the road - a real distinction. Ergonomics, 33 (10/11), 1315-1332) to test the factorial validity and reliability of the instrument across different subgroups of Danish drivers. The survey was conducted among 11,004 Danish driving license holders of whom 2250 male and 2190 female drivers completed the questionnaire containing background variables and the DBQ. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original three-factor solution, a four-factor solution and a two-factor solution had acceptable fit when using the whole sample. However, fit indices of these solutions varied across subgroups. The presents study illustrates that both the original DBQ and a Danish four-factor DBQ structure is relatively stable across subgroups, indicating factorial validity and reliability of the DBQ. However, as the Danish DBQ structure has an overall better fit, the present study highlights the importance of performing an explorative analysis when applying the DBQ in order to assess the problem areas within a driving population.

Why were Turks unwilling to accept the A/H1N1 influenza-pandemic vaccination? People's beliefs and perceptions about the swine flu outbreak and vaccine in the later stage of the epidemic

This study investigated the acceptability of the A/H1N1 influenza vaccination and related factors among 1137 adults in the later stage of the A/H1N1 outbreak in Turkey. Having already been vaccinated or intending to get vaccinated were related to trust in the vaccine effectiveness, perceived risk of the side effects, and benefits of getting vaccinated. Perceived long term consequences of the A/H1N1 infection, perceptions of the A/H1N1 information in media, and barriers for getting vaccinated were related to intention whereas anticipated epidemic situation in Turkey, being chronically ill, and being not married were related to having already been vaccinated.

Symmetric Relationship Between Self and Others in Aggressive Driving Across Gender and Countries

Objective: It was hypothesized that the combination of self-reported aggressive behaviors committed by the driver himself/herself (“self” scale) and perceiving himself/herself as an object of other drivers’ aggressive acts (“other” scale) increases road accident involvement risk across gender and countries. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate this symmetric relationship between aggressive driving of self and other and its relationship on accident involvement among British, Dutch, Finnish, and Turkish drivers. Methods: Survey studies of 3673 drivers were carried out in four countries; that is in Finland, Great Britain, The Netherlands, and Turkey. Analyses were conducted separately for men and women. Results: Overall, the interaction among aggressive warnings, hostile aggression, and revenge factors indicated that aggressive warnings might have a potential to release anger and escalate aggression both “within drivers” and “between drivers.” Symmetric interpersonal aggression between aggressive warnings and hostile aggression and revenge factors of self and others created a serious risk for road accident involvement in every country except among British male and Finnish female drivers. Conclusions: The other drivers aggressive behavior is significantly associated with increased accidents, except for Turkish male drivers. It seems that another drivers aggressive behavior can be important in predicting crashes—even more important than aggressive behavior on the part of the driver him- or herself.

Short and user-friendly: The development and validation of the Mini-DBQ.

The Driver Behavior Questionnaire (DBQ) is used to measure aberrant driver behavior by asking drivers how often they engage in various aberrant driver behaviors. Since the development of the original DBQ, several modified versions have been developed. The difference between the various versions is that new items are added or existing items modified or excluded. However, despite the differences, all versions are relatively long and therefore time-consuming and tiring to answer, which might limit the usability of the instrument. The main purpose of the present study was to develop a mini DBQ version by reducing the 27-item original DBQ to the shortest possible DBQ version. A second aim was to explore the feasibility of a second-order structure within the data, which means that violations, errors and lapses factors load on a higher-order aberrant driver behavior factor. The presence of a second-order structure further indicates the validity of the DBQ and its theoretical structure. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the fit (i.e., how well the models explain the data) of the original DBQ versus the fit of the shortest possible DBQ, as well as the presence of a second-order structure for the DBQ. The results indicated a nine-item Mini-DBQ. In addition, a second-order structure was established in the data. These findings indicate that the Mini-DBQ is a valid and useful short measure of aberrant driver behavior.

Burden of road traffic injuries in Turkey.

Objective: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are one of the leading causes of global deaths, contributing to 1.3 million lives lost each year. Although all regions are affected, low- and middle-income countries share a disproportionate burden. The significance of this public health threat is growing in Turkey, where current estimates show that 2.0 percent of all deaths in the country are due to RTIs. Despite the significance of this growing epidemic, data pertaining to RTIs in Turkey are limited. In order to address the gap in knowledge, this article presents an overview of the epidemiology of RTIs in Turkey through an analysis of available secondary data sets and a comprehensive review of scientifically published studies. Methods: A literature review was performed during December 2010 using PubMed, Embase, and ISIS Web of Knowledge databases and Google search engines. Peer-reviewed literature pertaining to Turkey and RTIs were selected for screening. Secondary data were also procured with assistance from Turkish colleagues through an exploration of data sources pertaining to RTIs in Turkey. Results: The literature review yielded a total of 70 studies with publication years ranging from 1988 to 2010. Secondary data sources were procured from the ministries of Health and Interior as well as the Turkish Statistical Institute. These data sources focus primarily on crashes, injuries, and fatalities (crash rate of 1328.5 per 100,000 population; injury rate of 257.9 per 100,000 population; fatality rate of 5.9 per 100,000). Risk factor data surrounding road safety are limited. Conclusion: The findings reveal the significant burden that RTIs pose on the health of the Turkish population. The introduction of new technologies such as the novel digital recording systems in place to record pre-hospital services and Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking of road traffic crashes by the police have allowed for a more accurate picture of the burden of RTIs in Turkey. There are, however, some considerable gaps and limitations within the data systems. Incorporation of standardized definitions, regular data audits, and timely review of collated data will improve the utility of RTI data and allow it to be used for policy influence.

Motorcycle riders' perception of helmet use: Complaints and dissatisfaction

In accidents which involve two-wheeled vehicles the helmet plays a life-saving role, but very little is known about the motorcycle riders perception of the helmet. We evaluated the relationships between having been involved in an accident and dissatisfaction with the helmet, and between the perception of motorcycle riders and the objective features of the helmet. This was a case-control study: riders of motorized two-wheelers who had been involved in accidents (accident cases) were compared against a similarly interviewed sample of riders that had not been in accidents (control cases). Information about the driver, the vehicle and the helmet was collected in all interviews. To evaluate the relationships, logistic regressions were carried out. The majority of drivers were dissatisfied with their helmets, but no evidence was found to link this dissatisfaction with having been involved in an accident. The two most common complaints related to noisiness, followed by the helmet visor. Complaints did not seem to be statistically associated with physical features of the helmet.

A Cross “Ethnical” Comparison of the Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) in an Economically Fast Developing Country

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the driving behaviours of four ethnic groups and to investigate the relationship between violations, errors and lapses of DBQ and accident involvement in Qatar. Subjects and Methods: The Driver Behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) was used to measure the aberrant driving behaviours leading to accidents. Of 2400 drivers approached, 1824 drivers agreed to participate (76%) and completed the driver behaviour questionnaire and background information. Results: The study revealed that the majority of the Qatari (35.9%) and Jordanian drivers (37.5%) were below 30 years of age, whereas Filipino (42.3%) and Indian subcontinent (34.1%) drivers were in the age group of 30-39 years. Qatari drivers (52%) were involved in most accidents, followed by Jordanians (48.3%). The most common type of collision was a head on collision, which was similar in all four ethnic groups. The Qatari drivers scored higher on almost all items of violations, errors and lapses compared to other ethnic groups, while Filipino drivers were lower on all the items. The most common violation was the same in all four ethnic groups “Disregard the speed limits on a motorway”. The most common error item observed was “Queing to turn right/left on to a main road”. “Forget where you left your car” and “Hit something when reversing” were the two lapses identified in factor analysis. Conclusion: The present study identified that Qatari drivers scored higher on most of the items of violations, errors and lapses of DBQ compared to other countries, whereas Filipino drivers scored lower in DBQ items.

Mobile phone use while driving: a major public health problem in an Arabian society, State of Qatar—mobile phone use and the risk of motor vehicle crashes

AimThe aim of the present study was to assess the rate of mobile phone use among drivers who were involved in road traffic crashes and to determine the factors associated with mobile phone use in Qatar.MethodsStructured interviews were conducted and participants were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning socio-demographics, driving attitudes and behaviour, adherence to traffic laws and mobile phone use. The study was conducted from December 2004 to June 2005 during which 1,139 drivers were asked to participate in the study and 822 drivers expressed their consent and met the inclusion criteria with a response rate of 72%.ResultsThere was a high rate of mobile phone use among individuals associated with crashes (73.2%). Of 602 drivers, 497 (82.6%) used handheld mobile phones without any extra add-on equipment. A stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that the vehicle type (four-wheel drive vs small car), excessive speeding, educational level and running a red light were statistically significant factors associated with mobile phone use among drivers who were involved in road traffic crashes.ConclusionUse of mobile phones while driving in Qatar is very high and poses a high risk for violations and motor vehicle crashes. These conclusions are discussed with reference to current interventions and safety regulations that are being launched.