Citation

Anderson KL, Patel CV, Vaca FE, Anderson CL, Mendoza R, Barton RL, Lekawa ME, Hoonpongsimanont W, Lotfipour S. J. Emerg. Med. 2011; 40(6): 687-695.

Affiliation

Division of Emergency Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jemermed.2009.07.007

PMID

19748200

Abstract

Background: The Hispanic population is one group that is involved in a disproportionately high percentage of fatal motor vehicle collisions in the United States. Study Objectives: This study investigated demographic factors contributing to a lack of knowledge and awareness of traffic laws among Hispanic drivers involved in motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) in southern California. Methods: The cross-sectional study enrolled adults (n = 190) involved in MVCs presenting to a Level I trauma center in southern California over a 7-month period. Subjects completed a survey about California traffic law knowledge (TLK) consisting of eight multiple-choice questions. The mean number of questions answered correctly was compared between groups defined by demographic data. Results: The mean number of TLK questions answered correctly by Hispanic and non-Hispanic white groups were significantly different at 4.13 and 4.62, respectively (p = 0.005; 95% confidence interval -0.83 to -0.15). Scores were significantly lower in subjects who were not fluent in English, had less than a high school education, did not possess a current driver's license, and received their TLK from sources other than a driver's education class or Department of Motor Vehicle materials. Analysis of variance showed that the source of knowledge was the strongest predictor of accurate TLK. Conclusion: Source of TLK is a major contributing factor to poor TLK in Hispanics. An emphasis on culturally specific traffic law education is needed.

Language: en