ETIOLOGIC FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN RIYADH CITY, SAUDI-ARABIA

The study analysed 13,390 police records of road traffic accidents (RT As) covering a three and a half year period according to different sus pected aetiological factors. The majority of the accidents were record ed for vehicles in good condition on well-paved straight roads with we ll-operating traffic light systems. Adverse weather conditions such as precipitation, fog and dust were of minimal importance, with most of the accidents being reported during sunny days during the rush period of 12 noon to 3 pm. Driver's error was identified as the main contribu ting factor in about two thirds of all RTAs mainly as reckless driving and excess speeding. About 27% of the drivers were professional drive rs and 41% were in the age group 25-35 years in good health with no al cohol or drug intake. Hence, human errors may be attributed to careles sness, experience, lack of knowledge or attention, over-exhaustion or fatigue. The effects of physical stressors on performance of-drivers n eed to be further explored and clarified but this need not underestima te the importance of vehicle and environment since most accidents are multifactoral and a slight change in them may effectively enhance perc eption and minimise personal error. Recommendations for remedial measu res adopting an interdisciplinary approach are presented.