Human factors in driving accidents: A cognitive investigation in the Gulf context

Introduction Human factors have been reported as the reason behind the majority of car accidents. However, to date, no studies at least in the Arab world generally and Gulf area specifically, conducted a comprehensive examination of cognitive functioning as potential predictors of car accidents and driving violations. Objectives Examining the role of cognitive functions e.g., verbal working memory, attentional control as predictors of traffic accidents and driving violations. Aims Examining the predictability of individual's cognition of occurrence of driving violations and accidents. Methods The study was carried on a sample of hundred and thirty two participants whose age ranged between 24 and 31 years. They were classified into groups of violators and non-violators, accident free and accident involved as well. Cognitive functioning were measured using self-reports and task performance, and a series of ANOVAS as well as stepwise multiple regressions were conducted to test the research hypothesis. Results Findings showed significant differences between violators and non-violators and between the accident free and accident involved groups in almost all of the considered factors, except for the decision making factor. Moreover, Pearson product-moment correlations showed that there were significant negative correlations between age, driving violations, and cognitive performance and the accidents. Conclusions Human cognition such as executive functioning and mental planning are key factors for predicting driving behavior and traffic accidents. The study results have many implications in diagnosing and preventing or at least reducing driving violations and road accidents. Disclosure of interest The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.