The Effect of Educational Intervention on Safe and High-Risk Driving Behaviors in Taxi Drivers

Abstract

Background: High-risk driving behaviors is one of the leading causes of death and disability. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of educational intervention on promoting safe-driving behaviors and reducing high risk-driving behaviors in taxi drivers based on the health belief model and planned behavior theory. Methods: A quasi-experimental study of interventional and control drivers (n = 40) selected by a cluster sampling method was conducted. The participants were selected from taxi stations. The intervention group was divided into 4 groups, including 10 people. The contents of the training program were based on driving laws, avoiding high-risk behaviors, and advising on safe driving behaviors. The driving behaviors were measured at baseline and 3-month post-intervention. Constructs of the health belief model and theory of planned behavior were used as an interventional program framework. Independent t-test and Paired t-test were used to compare the scores between intervention and control drivers and the intervention group before and after the intervention at each of the variables, respectively. Results: Three months post-intervention, the scores of safe driving behaviors in the intervention group were higher than the control group, and high-risk driving behaviors in the intervention group were less than the control group. After the intervention, a significant difference was observed in the mean scores of perceived barriers, self-efficacy, cues to action, attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control between two groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Educational intervention within the framework of the combined constructs of the health belief model and theory of planned behavior can reduce high-risk driving behaviors and promote safe driving behaviors in taxi drivers.