A Study on High School and College Students' Jaywalking Behavior in Dhaka City

Abstract

In Bangladesh, especially in the city of Dhaka, the number of students injured in traffic accidents is rising. It emphasizes the lack of attention given to this problem in the context of Bangladesh and the need for research on students' road-crossing behavior. A report by Road Safety Foundation indicated that in 2022, 26.96% of student fatalities occurred in Dhaka. While studies on students' road-crossing behavior have been conducted in countries like South Korea, India, and Qatar, the issue has received limited attention in Bangladesh's context and requires urgent consideration. Hence, our study aims to address this gap to investigate the factors that affect the road-crossing behavior of high school and college students in Dhaka City. To gather data for the study, a questionnaire survey was prepared having 68 questions that is divided into 7 sections. Surveys were conducted physically with 273 students from classes 6 to 12, from 13 different schools and colleges. The surveys focused on various aspects, including the students' socio-economic and demographic features, parental supervision, travel behavior, and the medium of instruction in their institutions, among others. The study's findings revealed that several factors had a significant impact on the road-crossing behavior of students. Travel characteristics, such as the mode of transportation used and the traffic conditions in urban settings, were found to be influential. Additionally, the study highlighted the importance of respondent particulars, including their age and the devices they use that enhance distractions. It was observed that sixth through ninth graders were more likely to engage in jaywalking, especially if they observed others engaging in unlawful road crossing. This age group often exhibits a combination of curiosity, impulsiveness, and limited awareness of potential dangers, which can lead them to take risks while crossing roads. The study also emphasizes the crucial role of parental guidance and traffic knowledge in mitigating risky road-crossing behavior among students using the logistic regression model. It is important to note that these attributes and factors influencing jaywalking among school-going children were thoroughly investigated in the study. The study's results are expected to provide valuable insights for policymakers in developing appropriate crossing policies, improving road safety, and enhancing infrastructures to ensure safer roads for students and the general public. By addressing these factors, policymakers, NGOs and government officials can work towards reducing student casualties and creating a safer environment for pedestrians in Dhaka city