A survey on personality of motor cycle riders involved in accidents

Background and The traffic jam is the most important problem all over the world both in developed and developing countries. Ïran is a country with high road accident rate. The data of traffic showed that of 9200000 accidents in Ïran, 2000000 were vehicle crash (2001). The rate of death by crash in Yazd province increased from 5.9% of all death in 2001 to 12.1% in 2003 with higher involvement of motorcycles. Many studies showed the relation between the accidents and personality types. Therefor we decided to study the personality of motorcycle riders who had accident. This was a cross-sectional study carried out on 305 motorcycle riders who had accident in Yazd city in 2004. the data were collected by a questionnaire comprised of two sections 1-demographic and general questions 2-standard test of personality. The questionnaires were completed by interviewers going to the home address of the subjects whom were selected from a list of motorcycle riders who had accident provided by the police station. The most motorcycle riders that had accident due to unsafe practice were in 13-24 yage groups. The magarity of motorcycle rides involved in accidents were in 13-24 age group and practiced unsafe riding. More than 74% of the subjects were of personality type (Â) and 74% of the accidents occurred in this group (73.8%). 72.7% of cases with personality type (Â) stated that the reason of their accident was not obstacle. Çonclusion: The result of this study showed that determination of personality of motorcycle riders, may be a way to prevent accidents.