Distractions for motorcyclists caused by acute mental disturbances: A Sri Lankan Study

Authors

  • H.T.D.W. Ariyarathna Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda
  • S.A.M.T.S. Senevirathna Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda
  • C.N. Daluwathumulla Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda
  • E.L.P.A. Jayathilake Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda
  • R.M.T.S. Weerasinghe Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda
  • P.H. Jayawardena Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda
  • P.A.C.T. Kumarasiri Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda

Abstract

A motorcycle/motorbike accident is a collective outcome of human and nonhuman factors. The possible contribution of acute mental disturbances resulting in motorcycle accidents was poorly studied in Sri Lanka. As a result, the purpose of this study was to study the potential contribution of acute mental disturbances/psychological disturbances resulting in accidents or collisions. A few other specific objectives included determining the place of the accident, speed and related demographics, and the severity of the road rage. The acute mental disturbance was defined by five components: the presence or absence of road rage, consumption of alcohol or substance abuse, having a problem with friends or at the workplace, having a problem at home, and an unspecified mental disturbance and or tiredness. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to study these aspects with the participation of 2500 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka. Each participant completed a questionnaire administered by an interviewer. There were n=2151 males, and the majority of victims were in the age group of 20-30 years, accounting for 28%. 5% of drivers had encountered road rage. 45% of the population reported experiencing at least one of the acute mental disturbances. 12% (n=291) had revealed that they had consumed alcohol or any other substance within the 24 hours of the incident. There was a statistical significance between the experiencing of acute mental disturbance and the speed, age and the place of the accident though there wasn’t a statistical significance between the sex. The mental state at the time of a road traffic injury is worth investigating as revealed by this study because it may be possible to find remedial actions through behavioural, attitudinal, educational and infrastructure changes.


KEYWORDS: Motorbike/motorcycle, Motorcyclist/driver, Acute mental disturbance, Road rage, Driver distraction, Acute psychological disturbance

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Published

2022-07-15

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2022): International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies

Section

Articles