A study on knowledge, attitude and practice of road safety measures among selected college students, Bengaluru

Background: Road traffic accident fatalities are rising in India, making them a significant public health concern. They are a leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults. The United Nations General Assembly aims to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries globally by 2030. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students from medical, engineering, and other disciplines. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding road safety measures. The chi-square test was used to determine associations between variables. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was taken from all participants. Results: Among participants, 97.3% of medical students, 86.7% of engineering students, and 100% of students from other disciplines knew that wearing a seat belt while driving is compulsory. Awareness regarding the mandatory use of seat belts for front seat passengers was 97.3% among medical students, 76.7% among engineering students, and 100% among other students. Awareness of the correct side to overtake was higher among those who drove vehicles (80.7%) compared to non-drivers (62%). Following lane discipline was reported by 97.3% of medical students, 70% of engineering students, and 90.5% of students from other disciplines. Conclusions: Medical students demonstrated better awareness and adherence to road safety measures than engineering and other students. Despite high awareness of key rules, certain unsafe behaviors, such as listening to music while driving, persisted. Non-day scholars and non-drivers exhibited lower awareness. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational programs to improve road safety awareness and practices among students.