@article{ref1,
title="A study on road safety features and awareness in selected schools in Vellore",
journal="Injury prevention",
year="2012",
author="John, O. and John, S. M. and Bose, A.",
volume="18",
number="Suppl 1",
pages="A102-A103",
abstract="Background Road traffic injuries are the commonest and second leading cause of death in the 15-19 and 5-14 years age group, respectively.  Aim Road safety of school children is a poorly addressed issue in India. Safety features near schools and awareness among students were assessed in schools in Vellore.  Methodology A school transport safety checklist was prepared based on robust recommendations. A questionnaire was administered to 146 Year nine students, aged 13-17 years. Six schools were selected by convenience sampling.  Results None of the schools had speed breakers, traffic redistribution arrangements, pedestrian crossings or median islands. 66.67% had no school zone board or traffic lights at intersections near the school. Eighty-seven of 146 questionnaire respondents were boys. About 22-25% of students reported having either collided with, or been involved in a crash with a two-wheeler in the previous month. A total of 49% of the two-wheeler users rode motorised vehicles to school, despite being under-age for licence. None of the cyclists wore helmets. Only 16% students could not identify even one of four common road signs.  Significance Findings revealed near non-existent safety features near schools and inadequate awareness regarding road safety among students. A phased school safety plan should be planned in consultation with civil authorities. These findings could represent the situation in other parts of India.   This is an abstract of a presentation at Safety 2012, the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 1-4 October 2012, Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand. Full text does not seem to be available for this abstract. <p />",
language="en",
issn="1353-8047",
doi="10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590d.20",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040590d.20"
}