Relationship Between Traffic Rule Violations and Socio-Economic Structure of Young Drivers in Turkey: Aydın and Malatya Examples

Mutlu, Mehmet Metin; Alver, Yalçın · 2014 · Crossref

DOI: 10.5505/pajes.2014.19970

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Summary

This study investigates the relationship between traffic rule violations and the socio-economic structures of young drivers (ages 18–29) in Turkey, specifically comparing the cities of Aydın and Malatya. Motivated by the high incidence of traffic accidents among young drivers globally due to sensation-seeking and inexperience, the research aims to address a gap in Turkish literature by analyzing driver behaviors across different cultural and socio-economic contexts. The study focuses on four primary traffic violations: running red lights, not wearing seatbelts, speeding, and drink driving. The methodology involved face-to-face surveys conducted in the central districts of Aydın and Malatya, cities selected for their similar sizes but distinct cultural and economic profiles. The survey targeted 817 licensed young drivers with at least one year of active driving experience, comprising 417 participants in Aydın and 400 in Malatya. The questionnaire collected data on socio-economic variables (age, gender, income, education, occupation, vehicle ownership) and specific driving behaviors. The researchers analyzed the relationship between these variables and violation tendencies using binary logit statistical models. Key findings reveal significant differences in violation rates and perceptions between the two cities. Regarding seatbelt usage, 71% of Aydın drivers and 64% of Malatya drivers admitted to not wearing seatbelts on short trips, with a majority in both cities failing to view seatbelt fines as deterrents. Speeding was prevalent, with 27% of Aydın drivers and 23% of Malatya drivers reporting at least one speeding violation in the past three years; notably, 80% of Aydın drivers considered speeding fines deterrents, compared to only 58% in Malatya. Red light violations were less frequent, with 5.5% of Aydın drivers and 8.8% of Malatya drivers reporting violations. However, a significant portion of drivers in both cities admitted to running red lights when the road was empty, particularly at night. Drink driving was more prevalent in Aydın, where 56% of drinkers reported consuming enough alcohol to impair driving, compared to 39% in Malatya. Interestingly, Malatya drivers were more likely to justify drink driving by claiming alcohol did not affect their performance. The study concludes that socio-economic and demographic factors significantly influence traffic rule violations among young drivers. The results highlight that while young drivers in both cities engage in risky behaviors, their perceptions of deterrence and justification for violations vary by location. The findings suggest that current penalties may not be sufficiently deterrent, particularly for seatbelt and speeding violations in Malatya. The research underscores the need for targeted interventions that consider local cultural and socio-economic differences to improve young driver safety in Turkey.

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• cultural cross national
• sex gender

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence