Influence of drivers' comprehension of posted signs on their safety related characteristics.

The paper studies the relationship between drivers' understanding of posted signs in three of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and some of their safety related characteristics. These characteristics are driving experience, accident involvement, experience per accident, citations received in the last 3 years on speed limit violations, and seat belt usage. A total of 28 posted signs were investigated. These were categorized as warning and regulatory. To achieve the above goals a questionnaire, specially prepared to collect the necessary data, was distributed to over 6000 drivers in the three states. Over 2820 (47%) responded back. Comprehension of posted signs for drivers with high years of driving experience proved to be significantly better than those with lesser experience. However, the results revealed no significant influence on their accident involvements, even when the effect of age is incorporated; experience per accident ratios, or speed citations. Further, the seat belt usage is also found to increase with understanding of posted signs.

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