TY - JOUR
PY - 2011//
TI - Traffic law knowledge disparity between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites in California
JO - Journal of emergency medicine
A1 - Lotfipour, Shahram
A1 - Hoonpongsimanont, Wirachin
A1 - Lekawa, Michael E.
A1 - Barton, Renee L.
A1 - Mendoza, Rosemarie
A1 - Anderson, Craig Lewis
A1 - Vaca, Federico E.
A1 - Patel, Chirag V.
A1 - Anderson, Kristin L.
SP - 687
EP - 695
VL - 40
IS - 6
N2 - Background: The Hispanic population is one group that is involved in a disproportionately high percentage of fatal motor vehicle collisions in the United States. Study Objectives: This study investigated demographic factors contributing to a lack of knowledge and awareness of traffic laws among Hispanic drivers involved in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in southern California. Methods: The cross-sectional study enrolled adults (n = 190) involved in MVCs presenting to a Level I trauma center in southern California over a 7-month period. Subjects completed a survey about California traffic law knowledge (TLK) consisting of eight multiple-choice questions. The mean number of questions answered correctly was compared between groups defined by demographic data. Results: The mean number of TLK questions answered correctly by Hispanic and non-Hispanic white groups were significantly different at 4.13 and 4.62, respectively (p = 0.005; 95% confidence interval -0.83 to -0.15). Scores were significantly lower in subjects who were not fluent in English, had less than a high school education, did not possess a current driver's license, and received their TLK from sources other than a driver's education class or Department of Motor Vehicle materials. Analysis of variance showed that the source of knowledge was the strongest predictor of accurate TLK. Conclusion: Source of TLK is a major contributing factor to poor TLK in Hispanics. An emphasis on culturally specific traffic law education is needed. Language: en
LA - en
SN - 0736-4679
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2009.07.007
ID - ref1
ER -