Protecting the Future: How Road Safety Knowledge Can Prevent Risky Behaviours among Adolescents in Malaysia

Abstract

Road traffic injuries pose a significant safety challenge for adolescents, ranking as the leading cause of death and disability in this age group. This study aimed to investigate the association between road safety knowledge, acquired through the Road Safety Education (RSE) program, and risky behavior among Malaysian adolescents. Additionally, it sought to determine whether road safety knowledge could predict risky behavior and whether these relationships were influenced by gender and age. A stratified random sample of 725 secondary school students, aged 13 to 15 years, participated in the study, providing responses through a self-reported questionnaire. The questionnaire encompassed demographic information, self-reported behavior, and road safety knowledge. The analysis of the data revealed a noteworthy inverse correlation between road safety knowledge and risky behavior among the surveyed adolescents. Furthermore, the study conducted T-test analyses, uncovering statistically significant differences in road safety knowledge and risky behavior based on both gender and age. Linear regression analyses reinforced the importance of road safety knowledge, demonstrating it as a significant predictor of risky behavior on the road among adolescents. The study highlights the importance of Road Safety Education for adolescents and the need for broader community access to reduce road risks.