CASE STUDY: CAR OCCUPANTS ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES AMONG ADOLESCENTS

PAMP 221.3
IN A STATE IN MALAYSIA
CASE STUDY SUMMARY

The following report is a case study about car occupant accidents and injuries
among adolescents that is carried out in 4 districts in Selangor, Malaysia. Several
respondents from different school have participated in this research that is chosen
randomly.

There are several problems that may lead to this situation such as not having
driving lessons, doesn’t own a driving license and not using a seat belt. The study
shows that not having a driving lesson is associated with having injuries as motorcar
occupants. The formal driving lesson among the respondents is quite recent. That
could make them more cautious when they are driving and avoid them from involved
in accidents.

There was a significant association between having injuries as motorcar

occupants and not having driving license. There is lack of driving skills and experience
among those who did not have driving license and driving lessons.

From this study, majority of the students used seat belts to prevent from
injuries, followed by fear of being fined. The reasons for not using the seat belts were
driving short distances, forgetfulness and were in a hurry. However, there are no
significant association between car occupant injuries and not using seat belts. Most of
them did not sustain any injuries or received only superficial minor injuries.

The conclusion is, parents should determine whether their children are ready
to take driving license and in what vehicle they can drive. In addition, schools have to
play their role by emphasizing the importance on road safety, like usage of seat belts,
proper driving practices particularly to the adolescents as they will be active road
users very soon.

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IN A STATE IN MALAYSIA
1.0 PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

1.1 Not having a driving lesson.

The respondents are lacking in driving skills and this problem is associated with
having injuries as motorcar occupants. They don’t have enough driving educations,
not provided with learning to drive and preparing the road test in order to produce
safer drivers.

This situation can be explained under “Taylor’s 4 principle of scientific

management which is scientifically select and then train, teach, and develop the
worker.”To be an educated driver, one must be trained and have been given enough
lessons about the law and regulation in driving.

A review from several driving education did not have low frequency of road
traffic accidents. A review from John Hopkins School of Public Health and Cochrane
Injuries group in the United Kingdom also reported no convincing evidence from
undergoing driver education (Mayhew 2002).

1.2 Do not have a driving license.

It has reported that there was a significant association between having injuries
as motorcar and for those who does not have a driving license. They were lack of
driving experiences and skills.

This kind of problem is similar to Fayol’s 14 principle of management under

“Discipline” which describes employees must obey and respects the rules that governs
the organization. Despite from obey the regulation one should have driving license as
a proof that he or she is eligible to drive competently.

Immaturity, inexperienced particularly in the necessary driving skills and

capabilities were the main reasons postulated (Mayhew DR, 2002).Once a person

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IN A STATE IN MALAYSIA
acquires a driving license in Malaysia they are still on probation for two years before
they can receive their normal driving license.

1.3 Not using seat belts.

Even though there is no significant association between car occupant injuries

and not using seat belts, it is believed that seat belts can reduce serious injuries and
deaths. Most of the respondents did not sustain any injuries or received only
superficial minor injuries.

Under Fayol’s principle management is defined “Order” which means tasks

should be performed in a systematic fashion. Using seat belts is an order to be
obeyed. By performing this, one can avoid from serious injury whenever accident took
place.

Safety belt usage was higher in primary enforcement cities of Boston, Houston
and New York (Wells JK, 2002).Teenager driver and front seat passengers are likely to
use seat belts as compared with older drivers (Preusser, 1987).The fatality rate for
the non-users of seat belts were six times greater than that of the belt users for all
ages in Kuwait. The non-users required more surgeries and received more abdominal
and facial injuries (Koushki PA, 2003).

2.0 Statement of Major Problems

2.1 Do not have driving lessons.

2.2 Do not have a driving license.

2.3 Not using seat belts.

These problems are the main problems in this case study. The researchers
assume that once these problems are solved it will decreased the potential of

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IN A STATE IN MALAYSIA
respondents especially student from getting involved in accidents and serious
injuries.

3.0 Identify and Evaluation of Alternative solution

3.1 Take intensive driving lessons

3.1.1ADVANTAGES

 They learn to drive safely and responsibly, and obtain driving

freedom which increases self worth.
 Teens learn the traffic laws involving issues such as registration, right
of way, traffic, pedestrians, smog and sound.
 They obtain details about auto insurance, the importance of different
parts of an insurance policy and their ramifications.
 They also learn skills such as first aid and know what to do at the
scene of an accident.
 The course provides sound information on road and traffic signs and
how they work.
 Teens become knowledgeable about the legal system, how to deal
with a police officer and fight speeding tickets.
 They learn how to buy and sell cars legally and save money.
 The course also provides information about the importance of
maintaining a vehicle on a regular basis.
3.1.2DISADVANTAGES

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 The syllabus of driving lessons is uninteresting.

 Need a lot of money to be spent and took time.

 The training sometimes doesn’t prepare the teenager to face traffic

conditions on the road and doesn’t provide the requisite driving
practice.

 Lack of facilities.

3.2 Get a driving license

3.2.1 ADVANTAGES

 Decreased accidents and automobile fatalities.

 Avoid from getting a ticket from the authority.

 As a proof that he or she is competent to drive.

 Can be more independent by not require others to be your driver.

 Can be easily loan for a car and other vehicles.

 Essential to claim insurance if suddenly involved in any accidents.

3.2.2DISADVANTAGES

 Need another two years to get competent driving license

 Sometimes there have been reported about misuse of driving license.

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 People refuse to use public transport and that will increase traffic
jam.

3.3 Wearing seat belts

3.3.1ADVANTAGES

 Lifesavers

The main advantage of using a seat belt is that it could save your live
in a collision or some other form of accident. According to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than
9,000 lives were saved each year as a result of using seat belts. In
2006 alone, more than 15,000 lives were saved because they were
wearing their seat belt.

 Tickets

Many drivers simply wear their seat belt to avoid getting a ticket and
fear of being fined.

 Reduce injury

In minor collisions, seat belt usage has proven to reduce the potential
injury to drivers and passengers. When you are in a vehicle involved
in a minor collision, your body can be thrust forward, causing your
head to hit the dashboard or windshield. With a seat belt, however,

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your body is restrained to prevent this from happening. According to
reports from the NHTSA, using a seat belt reduces your risk of injury
in minor accidents by as much as 50 percent.

 Setting an example

If you are a parent, wearing your seat belt sets a good example for
your children or younger drivers in your household. Children learn
many of their behaviors by example and when you make a habit of
putting your seat belt on when you get behind the wheel, they are
more likely to do the same when they are driving.

 Lower Medical Costs

According to the NHTSA, people who were wearing their seat belts
during a collision pay about 60 percent less in medical bills than
people who were not wearing their seat belts.

3.3.2DISADVANTAGES

 In many cases, the fibers of the seat belt can cause harm to the chest
and abdominal areas. This may include severe cuts and bruises where
the seat belt lies across you, as well as more serious damage to the
internal organs like tearing of the colon or diaphragm.
 In some cases the lumbar vertebrae may even be fractured or
dislocated.

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 Children are at the highest risk for seat-belt-related injuries and
should be closely monitored after a car crash even if they appear
unharmed at first glance.

4 Recommendation

4.1 Take intensive driving lessons

Driver's education is required in many states before you can apply for your
driver's license. The driver's license gives you the right to operate a vehicle by
yourself without requiring the presence of an adult. Driver's education provides
information necessary for you to know how to operate your vehicle and how to
drive safely among other drivers. There is most often a fee associated with the
driver's education course or program.

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Driver's education provides the basic foundation for becoming a successful

and safe driver in your community. You will learn about the safety signs posted
on the roads, as well as basic rules and etiquette when driving. You will learn
how to drive a vehicle. You may first practice in a simulator and then get "on
the road" driving experience. Often times, the vehicle you drive during your
driver's education program will have foot pedals on both the driver's side and
the passenger side of the car. The instructor will sit on the passenger side and
will have the ability to step on the brake if you encounter a dangerous
situation. You will watch safety videos and may take a few handwritten tests,
reviewing the information you learned during the course. Many states require
you to complete a set amount of hours you are in the vehicle driving with your
instructor. This will also be completed in the course.

Advanced training aimed at increasing the vehicle control and handling

skills of experienced drivers has not been shown to be effective in crash or
violation reduction terms (Christie, 2001). Driver training and education
programs targeting the development of hazard-related skills need to target
driving skills that reduce the need to respond to a hazard rather than skills
involved in responding once a hazard has occurred. The behavioral responses to
emergency situations are almost certainly based on automated processes that
depend on experience rather than education or knowledge (Harrison, 2002).

4.2 Get a driving license

Having a driver's license is one of the drastic status symbols among high
school students and teenagers, in wide ranging. Apart from being a "coolness"
asset, a driver's license also provides kids with a sensation of independence by
providing them with the adequate to drive on their own.

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The license is important in order to force potential drivers into

educating themselves concerning the rules of the road. This fosters a safer
environment. A license also represents a privilege; a privilege that can be
taken away. This allows law enforcement to decommission hazardous drivers. A
driver’s license is used for authentication so people can challenge and verify
ones identity. As it is a widely sought after privilege, the state enforces fees in
order to effectively produce revenue. This is important because every state
could always use more money. The state also uses its lengthy registration
process to collect in-depth information on every person that goes through it.
The purpose is no doubt ambiguous; such information on every single driver in a
database would no doubt prove useful to government intelligence agencies.
A driver’s license is also important for what it enables. With a license, drivers
are able to commute, which has all sorts of implications.

Teenager can involve in society if they have driving licensed and it allows
them to reach sports events as well as academic competitions. They also can
join the car racing club with adult people. For example a few week ago a legal
car racing competition was took place at the near Terengganu Stadium and
teenager around eighteen years old was a large number are join the
competition and for sure the requirement to join this competition are those
who has a driving licensed. If the age raised maybe the under age teenager
could not join the car racing and they maybe join the illegal car racing.

“To teach teenagers to get involved with society the teenager driving
license should not be increased”(Pearl Horng, 2007). Besides that if the
teenager around eighteen years old has a driving licensed it also can help them
to do a side business such as carrying passenger with the automobile and

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IN A STATE IN MALAYSIA
nowadays many requirement to work also ask about the driving license. In
conclusion the teenager age should not be raised because it can teach teenager
become more involved members of the community.

4.3 Wearing seat belts

Wearing seat belts will reduce injuries and save lives. Each year, the
number of people wearing seat belts increases and the rate of fatalities
decreases. Those who don't buckle should understand the risks involved. Many
people in vehicles, who do not use seat belts, end up in terrible fatalities, but
those that have seat belts properly fastened have the improved ability to avoid
fatalities. Because of the increasingly amount of drivers and passengers, they
should always properly wear the seat belt.

Seat belts in automobiles are a very important safety feature. Over the
past ten years, highway injuries and fatalities have dropped. The reason for the
decline is because more and more people are wearing seat belts. Seat belts
hold your body in place while in and stopped motion. When a traffic accident
occurs, the car suddenly comes to a stop and the driver and passenger who are
sitting in the front and who are not wearing seat belts keep moving forward
towards the steering wheel, windshield, or other parts of the interior. It has
been proven through many crash tests with dummies crashing into windshields
and dashboards to convince people wearing a seat belt is a safe idea. The seat
belt will prevent one from getting badly injured or death. Passengers in the
back of a car who are unbelted will also endanger their safety, but they will
also injury the people in the front seat because the unbelted rear passengers
can hit the front seat hard enough to injure the people seated in them.

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Adults who do not use seat belts are sending a deadly message to
children. Parents are role models to children when growing up. They need to
set examples of buckling themselves so children will also do the same.

Whether you are a child or an adult one must always wear safety seat belts
while riding in a motor vehicle or on a bus no matter how short or long the ride
might be. Many people believe that if they are going to die in a crash, safety
seat belts will not affect the crash outcome. Unfortunately, the threat of
seriously being injured or dying is not enough to persuade some people to
always buckle up. They only proven way to get these high-risk people to use
seat belt is to issue tickets and fine to them.

Every new van should come with a seat-belt reminder system fitted as
standard to encourage van drivers to wear their seat belts (TRB, 2003).

Highly visible strict enforcement is the key to increasing use of restraints.

People will buckle up if they perceive that they are likely to be fined. Selective
traffic enforcement programs with intense media publicity and increased police
patrols.

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5 Appendices

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6 References

 Christie, R. (2001), The effectiveness of driver training: a review of the

literature, RACV, Literature Report No 01/03, Noble Park, Victoria
 Desselle,S.P. and Zgarrick, D.P, Pharmacy Management : Essential for All
Setting, second edition, 2009
 Harrison, W.A. (2002), what can parrots tells us about acquiring hazard
perception skills? Conference Proceedings, Developing Safer drivers and
Riders, The Australian College of Road Safety, Mawson, Australian Capital
Territory, p.10.

 http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/107098/article.html
 http://www.carsdirect.com/car-safety/pros-and-cons-of-sending-your-
child-to-a-teen-driving-school
http://www.helium.com/items/1081440-what-are-the-cause-and-effects-for-raising-
the-driving-age
 http://www.ehow.com/how_2073247_avoid-car-accident-
injury.html#ixzz0rvmQI98Q

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 http://www.ehow.com/about_5286591_advantages-using-seat-belt.html
 http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4678186_drivers-education-work.html
 http://www.ehow.com/list_5929638_disadvantages-advantages-seat-belts-
airbags.html