A. Bener, H. R. Burgut ,H. Sidahmed , R. AlBuz, R. Sanya, W. A. Khan / Californian Journal of Health Promotion 2009, Volume 7, Issue 2, 92-101 92 Road traffic injuries and risk factors Abdulbari Bener 1,2,3 , Huseyin R. Burgut 1 ,Heba Sidahmed 1 , Rama AlBuz, Rahima Sanya 1 , Waleed Ali Khan 1 1 Depts. of Public Health & Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medical College, Qatar 2 Dept. of Medical Statistics & Epidemiology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Weill Cornell Medical College, Hamad General Hospital, Qatar 3 Dept. Evidence for Population Health Unit, School of Epidemiology and Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK Abstract This study determines the characteristics of Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) among Qatari drivers and examines the human behavioural and environmental risk factors associated in occurrence of RTIs. This cross sectional survey was conducted in the primary health care centers during the period of February – July 2009. A random sample of 1800 Qatari drivers was approached and 1406 drivers responded and agreed to participate in this study (78.1%). Face to face interview was conducted by well trained research assistants based on a questionnaire. The study revealed that of the studied Qatari drivers (1406), 14.5% of them were injured. Young drivers in the age group (25 – 34) years were more involved in RTIs (35.8%). The RTIs occurred more among male drivers than females with the ratio 1.7:1 (p<0.001). Of the injured drivers, 63.7% were involved with traffic violations especially with exceeding speed limit (25.9%) and parking violation (18.1%). Qatari drivers were more injured from overturn skid crashes (20.6%) and hitting fixed objects (14.7%). Head injuries were reported more from light vehicle crashes (33.3%) and neck injuries from Pickup and SUVs crashes (44.7%). Severe injuries were reported among Qatari drivers who had heavy vehicle crashes (43.5%). The study findings revealed the high risk of RTIs was among young male Qatari drivers in the age group 25-34 years. It showed that human behavioural factors represent one of the main causes of RTIs such as excessive speed and using seatbelt. © 2009 Californian Journal of Health Promotion. All rights reserved. Keywords: Road Traffic Injuries, driver behavior, excessive speed, traffic violations, Qatar Introduction Motorization has enhanced the lives of many individuals and societies, but the benefits have come with a high price. Road Traffic Injury (RTI), one of the most common injuries, is defined as a fatal or non-fatal injury incurred as the result of a road traffic crash. RTIs are thought to be the most common cause of death, resulting in 1.26 million each year, 20.7% of all deaths from injuries (Krug, 2004). In addition to these deaths, between 20 and 50 million people globally are estimated to be injured or disabled each year (Peden, 2005) Current and projected trends in motorization indicate that the problem of RTIs will get worse, leading to a global public health crisis (World Health Organization, 2004). RTIs have been reported to be the tenth leading cause of death and the ninth leading contributor to the burden of disease worldwide (Peden et al., 2004). By 2020, RTIs will become the third leading contributor to the global burden of disease and injuries. Injuries resulting from RTIs disproportionately affect vulnerable road users in developing countries. Developed countries such as U.K and U.S.A (Jacob, Aeron-Thomas & Astrop, 2000)