Background Road traffic injury (RTI) rates have been decreasing¹ but are still the leading cause of death in Qatar.^2,3 Young drivers (age less than 30) were identified as high-risk for RTI^4,5 in Qatar but a systematic review of evidence is needed.

Methods A systematic literature review was conducted on 7 electronic peer-reviewed databases between 2003 – 2015 using predefined search terms in truncation and using Boolean terms, documents from international organisations and grey literature. Retrieved articles were screened using a set of inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data was extracted and secondary analysis done for evidence on the risk of young drivers for RTIs and RTI fatalities.

Results 21 articles met inclusion criteria; 12 retrospective observational descriptive studies, 2 grey literature papers (secondary analysis of data and systematic literature review), 1 cross-sectional study, 1 descriptive study, 1 regression analysis for prediction of RTIs, 1 survey, 1 information note by the World Bank, 1 retrospective literature review and 1 re-meta-analysis paper. 15 papers focused on Qatar solely and 6 compared its data with other countries. There was consistent evidence that young male drivers were more likely to: 1.) use a mobile phone while driving 2.) have more traffic violations than females and older drivers 3.) be involved in a four-wheel drive crash, 4.) avail of ambulance, emergency department or trauma services for RTI 5.) sustain severe injury and death on ejection from a vehicle and be involved in all forms of motor vehicle crashes. The relative risk for road mortality of this group was 10 times higher than the general population.

Conclusions Young drivers in Qatar are at a disproportionate risk for risky driving behaviour, traffic violations, involvement in 4WD crashes, ejection in a crash, severe RTI and mortality. A multi-disciplinary strategy, composed of proven interventions, to reduce this health burden must be implemented as a public health priority.

References

1. Mamtani R, Al-Thani MH, Al-Thani AA, Sheikh JI, Lowenfels AB. Motor vehicle injuries in Qatar: time trends in a rapidly developing Middle Eastern nation. Inj Prev. 2012Apr;18(2):130–2. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2011-040147. Epub 2011 Oct 12.

2. Consunji RJ, Peralta RR, Al-Thani H, Latifi R. The implications of the relative risk for road mortality on road safety programmes in Qatar. Inj Prev. 2015Apr;21(e1):e105–8. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2013-040939. Epub 2014 Jan 28.

3. World Health Organisation. Global status report on road safety 2015: supporting a decade of action: summary 2015.

4. Sivak M,Schoettle B. Mortality From Road Crashes In 193 Countries: A Comparison With Other Leading Causes Of Death. The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute. Report No. UMTRI-2014-6 February2014.

5. A Bener, T Lajunenc, T Ozkan, D Haigney. “The Effect of Mobile Phone Use on Driving Style and Driving Skills.” International Journal of Crashworthiness 2006;11(5):1–7.