Risk factors of near-miss road traffic incidents among inter-provincial public van drivers in Thailand

Abstract

© 2019, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All right reserved. Background: Public vans have higher road traffic accidents (RTAs) compared to other types of public transportation. There is evidence that the chance of RTAs increase with near-miss incidents. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors of near miss road traffic incidents among interprovincial public van drivers in Thailand. Method: This is a Cross-Sectional survey design. The sample consists of 379 public van drivers in Bangkok Bus Terminals selected by proportionate stratified random sampling. The data was collected by an interview questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple and multiple Logistic Regression analyses. Results: The prevalence of road traffic near misses was 38.3 percent. It was found that more working experience (ORadj = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.11-0.77), longer working hours (ORadj = 2.83, 95%CI: 1.34-5.95), violation driving behavior (ORadj = 1.11, 95%CI: 1.01- 1.21), smoking (ORadj = 1.65, 95%CI: 1.02-2.66), and poor sleep quality (ORadj =3.36, 95%CI: 1.22-9.23) were the risk factors of near miss road traffic incidents. Conclusion: The research findings recommend the authorized organizations set up hours of operation and allocate timetables for public van drivers to allow for adequate rest. Promoting safe driving behaviors and smoking cessation among public van drivers should be intervened in order to prevent the occurrence of near miss incidents which in turn could reduce the impacts from road traffic accidents.