Investigating the role of factors related to driver, vehicle and environment on physical discomfort feeling of drivers during car accidents

Abstract

Introduction & Objective: Traffic accidents have become one of the main problems of human society due to population growth and increase in the number of vehicles. This study was conducted to investigate the role of factors related to driver, vehicle and environment in driver's discomfort feeling in suburban driving accidents. Methods and Materials: This cross-sectional study was performed on 78 culprit drivers who had an accident outside the city and had referred to insurance centers and forensic physicians. The data collection tool was a questionnaire consisting of questions to assess the impact of factors related to the driver, environment and vehicle on the driver's mental perceptions (discomfort feeling). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney and Pearson correlation tests at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS software version 25. Results: 37 drivers (47.4%) had middle school or lower degree and 22 of drivers (28.2%) were involved in previous accidents. Car audio system of 28 cars (35.9%) were on while driving and 24 drivers (30.8%) felt tired before driving. The road of 42 drivers (53.8%) was uneven and in 33 cases (42.3%) there were sudden changes in the road. In 28 cases (35.9%) there were intersections and in 13 cases (41.9%) there was not appropriate lighting. Among the car-related factors, 38 (48.7%) of the steerings of the studied cars were non-hydraulic and 18 drivers (23.1%) felt shortness of breath when using the seat belt. In 22 cars (28.3%) there were annoying noises due to vibration in the car. The results of statistical tests showed that among the factors related to the driver, education, height and involvement of the person in previous accidents and among the environmental factors, the season of the accident, bumpy and rough roads, sudden changes in route, the presence of intersection and road lighting significantly affects driver perceptions. Also, among the factors related to the car, the sound system, hydraulic steering, uncomfortable feeling while using the seat belt and the presence of annoying noises due to vibration in the car have a significant effect on the driver's mental perception (p-Value0.05). Conclusion: Changes in a person's emotions and perceptions while driving are influenced by factors related to the driver, the environment and the car. Considering the effect of these factors on the driver's discomfort and ultimately causing a car accident, corrective actions can be taken to control or eliminate these causes. Finally, further studies are suggested in the future to comprehensively investigate the effect of various factors on the driver's discomfort feeling. Keywords: Traffic Accidents, Discomfort Feeling, Environmental Factors, Human Factors, Road Factors