The Relationship Between Self-Control and Car Accidents

Background: Car accidents are one of the major causes of death and serious injuries all over the world. Human factors, especially psychological factors play an important role in accident occurrence. Objectives: This study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between self-control and car accidents based on demographic factors in Gonabad, in 2011. Patients and Methods: In this correlation study, 440 drivers in Gonabad (219 females, 221 males) were selected with non-probability sampling method, using Morgan table. They all fulfilled personal information and Schneider self-control questionnaires (1974). Data were analyzed with SPSS-18 software using t-test, one-way ANOVA, stepwise regression-test and Fisher’s test. Results: Data showed that 80.9% of drivers suffer from low self-control. There was a strong negative correlation between self-control and car accident (P < 0.05). There was no relationship between self–control and gender, age, marital status, occupation, level of education and frequency of accidents in drivers with previous history of accident (P > 0.05). Stepwise regression test showed that gender and self-control are correlated with accident occurrence. Conclusions: Considering the results of our study, it seems that paying more attention to all factors affecting car accident is a necessity and in order to reduce car accident rate, preparing a long-term plan for self-control education and evaluation should be put in to consideration.