Role of Medical Students Pertaining to Rules and Regulations of Road Safety - an Original Research

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a major public health concern, particularly among young adults. This study assessed road safety awareness, attitudes, and behaviors among medical students in Chennai, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 320 undergraduate medical students and their interns. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Logistic regression was used to identify the associations between demographic variables and outcomes. Results: Overall, 66.9% of the participants demonstrated good knowledge of road safety, 77.2% exhibited good behavior, and 52.2% held positive attitudes. Sex significantly influenced both knowledge (females: adjusted OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.23–0.77, p = 0.005) and attitudes (females: OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.06–3.19, p = 0.030). Formal road safety education was associated with better behavior (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.32–0.92, p = 0.023). Conclusion: Although knowledge and self-reported behavior were relatively high, positive attitudes were less prevalent. Gender and formal education significantly impacted road safety awareness and adherence. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to improve road safety practices among healthcare professionals.