Empirical analysis of hazard perception and driving behaviors among high school and college students on motorcycles in Phnom Penh,Cambodia

In Cambodia, motorcycle use has spread rapidly in recent years, and serious accidents involving motorcycles have increased. Motorcycle accidents involving young people are particularly common, and there are various issues concerning traffic safety. To understand the situation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, we conducted a questionnaire survey on driving attitude and behavior of motorcycle users targeted at high school and college students and a video observation survey of motorcycle driving conditions. Based on the survey analysis results, we held a traffic safety workshop (WS) comprising practical skills and classroom learning centered on hazard anticipation. In this study, we conducted a statistical comparative analysis of driving behavior frequency on non-intersection intervals of arterial roads before and after the WS, based on observational results from video cameras mounted on motorcycles. The results showed that the WS effects were associated with a reduction in average travel speeds and changes in driving behavior, such as frequency of lane changing. Different responses to the WS were observed according to attributes, and thus, the relationship between the content of this kind of traffic safety WS and behavioral changes needs to be clarified and a more advanced traffic safety WS program developed.