Factors Contributing to the Road Traffic Accidents in Sri Lanka

The impact of environmental and human factors has significant importance on the Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) in Sri Lanka. Past studies have shown that neither the expansion of roads horizontally or vertically nor the reduction in the vehicle density is a solution to reduce RTAs. Therefore, this study is to determine the significant human factors associated with RTAs in Sri Lanka using data on RTAs during 2005 – 2019 obtained from the Department of Police, Sri Lanka, and suggest some solutions to reduce RTAs. The six reasons for major RTAs are overtaking, diversion, speed driving, alcohol consumption of driver, negligence of pedestrians, and mechanical fault of vehicles. About 85% of major RTAs were due to overtaking (32%), diversion (27%), and speed driving (25%). The percentage of RTAs under each of these variables is significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of RTAs when the drivers have alcohol more than the minimum level (9%). The Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Conformity factor analysis (CFA) confirmed that reasons for RTAs can be classified into two latent factors, namely, ‘lack of attention of the drivers’ and ‘negligence of the drivers. The two factors are invariant on the type of extraction method as well the type of orthogonal rotation. The fitted binary logistic model revealed that the significant variables on RTAs are negligence of the road conditions by the drivers, lack of attention of the driver, age of driver less than 18 years, and status of alcohol by the drivers. The odds of fatal accidents happening when the driver has a valid driving license are 4.3 times higher than that of a driver without a valid license. The inferences derived from this study can be easily used by Department of Police in Sri Lanka to reduce the RTAs in Sri Lanka. Drivers should be motivated to become well-disciplined drivers. The fines for the who do not adhere road rules need to be increased.