Impacts of socio economic factors on perceptions of being safe while using Kuwaiti roads. An investigation of preferences and attitudes
| Date | 04 January 2016 |
| Published date | 04 January 2016 |
| Pages | 56-64 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJSTSD-09-2015-0045 |
| Author | Hana AlSaeid,Talal Almutairi,Hamad Matar,Faraj F. Al-Ajmi,Fawaz A. Alrashidi,Mohammad A. E. Husain,Wafaa Saleh |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Environmental technology & innovation |
Impacts of socio economic
factors on perceptions of being
safe while using Kuwaiti roads
An investigation of preferences and attitudes
Hana AlSaeid, Talal Almutairi, Hamad Matar, Faraj F. Al-Ajmi,
Fawaz A. Alrashidi and Mohammad A.E. Husain
Department of Civil Engineering,
College of Technological Studies (PAAET), Kuwait, and
Wafaa Saleh
Transport Research Institute, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to investigate road users attitudes and preferences towards
accidents and safety measures in Kuwait. The paper also quantifies impacts of user’s attitudes on the
perception of being safe while using roads in Kuwait.
Design/methodology/approach –In this paper, a review of relevant literature, has been carriedout,
then a questionnairehas been piloted and implementedto collect data. The main survey wascarried out
in 2013. A total of 700 distributed questionnairesresulted in the return of 427 completed questionnaires.
Findings –Results show that socio economic, attitudes and work commitment factors, all contribute
to the behaviour and attitudes of road users in Kuwait.
Research limitations/implications –Data are limited due to time constraints.
Originality/value –There is very little knowledge of modelling and analysing factors which affect
drivers’behaviour towards safety in Kuwait.
Keywords Sustainability, R&D, Development policies, Traffic safetyin Kuwait, Road safety attitudes,
Socio economic characteristics
Paper type Research paper
Background
To date there are a limited number of studies in place that comprehensively analyse the
traffic accident patterns which have occurred in the Kuwait and the region of
the Persian Gulf. The majority of studies in existence are extremely dated and thus the
conclusions that have been drawn from these may by now be significantly changed
(Bener and Jadaan, 1990; Bener et al., 2003). AlSaeid et al. (2015) carried out an
investigation to analyse and investigate characteristics of road users’and drivers on
the roads. They reported that journey purpose, mode of travel and regulations are all
factors which contribute to road safety and behaviour of drivers. The necessity to carry
out this form of study is clear due to the fact that the fatality rate for drivers is
significantly higher in these countries when compared to those of Western countries.
In 2007 mortality rates of 29, 37.1 and 16.9 per 100,000 were seen in Saudi Arabia,
United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, respectively, due to road traffic accidents (WHO,
2013). Compared to the rates of 6.1 for the UK and 14.8 for the USA (WHO, 2013) it can
be seen that there is a dramatic difference in the levels of fatalities being observed.
In 2002 AL-Ghamdi studied and analysed road of traffic accidents occurring in the
capital city of Saudi Arabia –Riyadh. He found that the majority of severe accidents
(58.7 per cent) were occurring at straight road sections rather than at intersections
World Journal of Science,
Technology and Sustainable
Development
Vol. 13 No. 1, 2016
pp. 56-64
©Emerald Group Publishing Limited
2042-5945
DOI 10.1108/WJSTSD-09-2015-0045
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
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56
WJSTSD
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