Sociocultural factors affecting the incidence of road traffic crashes among drivers: An exploratory qualitative study
DOI: 10.48307/atr.2025.518101.1222
URL: https://archtrauma.kaums.ac.ir/article_225034_80f206f9b3ba24cd72b1f98d5d013733.pdf
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Abstract
Various factors contribute to the occurrence of road traffic crashes (RTCs), among which human factors play a significant role. These factors can be significantly influenced by the sociocultural background of drivers. The aim of this study was to explore and develop sociocultural factors (SCFs) affecting the occurrence of RTCs among drivers, based on stakeholders' experiences. This qualitative study was conducted in Iran in 2021 using purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 25 participants who were experts and specialists in fields of road traffic, psychology, and sociology. Data collection continued until conceptual saturation was reached. The data were then manually analyzed using conventional content analysis. After analyzing the data, four main categories and 13 sub-categories appeared: 1) sociodemographic factors (sociodemographic characteristics, social influence, and norms and beliefs); 2) personality traits (sensation-seeking and risky behaviors, violence and anger, anxiety and poor time management skills, selfishness, and individualism); 3) driver behavior (inadequate adherence to traffic laws, insistence on violation, malice and revenge, mental preoccupation, and distraction); and 4) driver skills (perceptual-motor skills and safety skills).
Summary
Qualitative interview study (Iran, 2021) exploring sociocultural factors (SCFs) contributing to road traffic crashes among drivers. Semi-structured interviews with 25 experts in traffic, psychology, and sociology, analyzed via conventional content analysis until conceptual saturation. Four main categories emerged with 13 sub-categories: (1) sociodemographic factors (characteristics, social influence, norms and beliefs); (2) personality traits (sensation seeking and risky behavior, violence and anger, anxiety and poor time management, selfishness/individualism); (3) driver behavior (inadequate adherence to traffic laws, insistence on violation, malice and revenge, mental preoccupation, distraction); and (4) driver skills (perceptual-motor skills and safety skills). Authors argue SCFs in low- and middle-income countries are shaped by public culture and weak enforcement, and should be addressed through targeted education and stricter law enforcement.
Key finding
Sociocultural factors influencing road traffic crashes among Iranian drivers cluster into four domains — sociodemographic factors, personality traits, driver behavior, and driver skills — with mental preoccupation, distraction, anger/aggression, and weak adherence to traffic laws emerging as recurrent behavioral pathways from culture to crash risk.
Methodology
Exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 25 purposively sampled experts (traffic, psychology, sociology) in Iran in 2021. Maximum-variation sampling; data collected until conceptual saturation; conventional content analysis performed manually. Trustworthiness addressed via Guba and Lincoln criteria.
Sample size: 25 expert participants
Quality score: 5 / 5