Road safety knowledge, attitudes and practices among pedestrians

Abstract

Introduction. Road safety is an essential aspect in our modern society. Whether we are drivers, pedestrians or passengers, we are all involved in traffic and must be aware of the dangers and risks associated with it. Their knowledge, attitudes and practices play a key role in preventing accidents and ensuring safe mobility. Aim of study. Assessment of pedestrian knowledge, attitudes and development of road safety measures among pedestrians. Methods and materials. The given study is a descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiological study among students aged between 19-30 years. 150 young people from USMF "Nicolae Testemitanu" participated in the study. Students were exposed to a 15-question questionnaire assessing pedestrian safety knowledge, attitudes and practices. Results. Most of the respondents included in the study are between 21-24 years old, the average being 20.4±5. Of the total number of respondents, 23% answered that they frequently have to drive on the street because of illegally parked cars, 28% of them frequently avoid streets and dangerous intersections for crossing and 15% frequently listen to music through headphones while crossing the street or walking on the street. As pedestrians, 12% of them are very often disturbed by car drivers, in 8% by motorcyclists and in 2% by cyclists. When asked about the consumption of alcohol as a pedestrian, 30% believe that this very often can lead to an increased chance of accidents. Regarding the number of places intended for crossing the streets, the respondents reported that in 44% of cases they are rarely satisfied with it, they are not satisfied in 11% of cases. Conclusion. Road safety for pedestrians largely depends on their knowledge, attitudes and practices. Continuous education and the promotion of a responsible attitude among pedestrians are essential to reduce the number of accidents. Every individual has a role to play in creating a safe road environment, and investing in pedestrian education is an investment in shared road safety.