Citation

Agyemang E, Jörgensen SH. Proc. Road Saf. Four Continents Conf. 2010; 14: 852-868.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Conference Sponsor)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Globally, the WHO (2009) estimates that approximately 1.2 million people die annually from road traffic crashes especially among vulnerable road users (i.e. children, pedestrians, cyclists and the elderly). Human-related factors such as culture, risk perception, attitudes and risk-taking behavior contribute substantially to this safety problem. Surveys on risk and safety are, however, rare especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, this present study aims to analyze some cultural aspects of risk with respect to road safety by comparing a sample population in Ghana and Norway respectively. Judgment of traffic injury risks, attitudes and behaviors towards road safety, and the role of culture between road users are also explored. An additional objective is a discussion of the suitability of application of various road safety strategies for developing countries. The choice of these two countries are informed by the fact that they differ largely on levels of infrastructure development to minimize exposure of vulnerable road users to traffic injuries; degree of motorization and consequent high incidence of traffic accidents as well as their cultural values. The analyses are carried out from a similar questionnaire survey data used by generated through stratified sampling of respondents (N = 299) in the Ghanaian cities ofAccra and Cape Coast, as well as a representative sample of the Norwegian public above 16years (N = 247). Stratified analyses of mean (sum) scores for risk perception, attitudes and behavior and in addition regression models were performed for explaining variance for the two countries. The results show that Ghanaian vulnerable road users report higher injury risk perceptions than their Norwegian counterparts. Ghanaians also express more favorable safety attitudes and safety behavior, except for drinking and driving. These finding may be interpreted in relation to the differences in the traffic system and the overall risk environment in the two countries. Age, gender and education are generally insignificant predictors for attitudes and behavior both in Ghana and Norway, except partly for gender in the latter.Certain cultural traits, such as sounds, honking of horns and other movements in traffic are more important than the influence of traffic signs on attitudes in Ghana. However, most elements of culture are embedded in the systematic country differences. More holistic strategies at the micro, meso and macro levels seem to be most appropriate for reducing risk culture, risk attitudes and contribute to safety-mindedness in behavior. These include: individual and collective behavioral improvements through well publicized and sustained road safety education emphasizing personal responsibility in traffic, strict enforcement of legislations on the use of seat-belts, child restraints, and crash helmets as well as random breath-tests to check drink driving and the construction of speed calming facilities in risk-prone areas will positively affect safety behavior and improve road safety.