EXPLORING ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AWARENESS AND BASIC MANAGEMENT AMONG TAMIL NADU COLLEGE STUDENTS: A JOURNEY THROUGH DESIGN THINKING

Abstract

This descriptive study aims to assess the knowledge and awareness of road safety among college students. The study was conducted among students in Tamil Nadu by means of questionnaire disseminated online via social media with shareable link to a Google form. The respondents were self-selected to participate in this study where their responses were self-administrated. Questionnaire consisted of 3 sections included demographic information, knowledge on road signs and road safety law, and road safety awareness. 371 students participated in this study, 66% of them age 23 to 27 years old, 61% were female, 92.5% of respondents have at least one type of license with majority agreed that occurrence of accidents resulted in an increase in road safety awareness. The study found that more than half of the participants could not recognise road sign like parking totally prohibited and speed limit ends here. While, 38% of them correctly identified posted speed limit for expressway. Overall, participants have fair understanding on road safety. Therefore, road safety programmes and education are still relevant to the college students as young drivers on the road which is important to increase safety awareness.

KEYWORDS: Road Safety, Awareness, Knowledge, College Students, Safety Sign