[Comparison of the role of human factor in road accidents in different drivers' categories]

Human factor is identified as the most important factor in road accident. The purpose of this research was to compare the role of human factor in road accidents in different drivers' categories in Darab Township in 2010. In this descriptive-correlation research, firstly, four groups of drivers including bus, truck, taxi and private car drivers [130 drivers] were selected through purposeful sampling and completed Manchester Driving Behavior Questionnaire [MDBQ]. Data was analyzed by using Multivariate analysis of variance [MANOVA], correlation coefficients and SPSS. According to the result, all groups had significant differences in all factors such as errors, lapses, aggressive and ordinary violation [P<0.05]; also the highest rate in 3 factors of errors, lapses and aggressive violation were related to bus drivers, truck drivers, private car drivers and taxi drivers respectively; but in ordinary violations the highest scores were related to private car, taxi, truck and bus drivers respectively. The findings of correlation coefficients were as follows: there were a significant and positive correlation between age and all types of errors and violence [P<0.05]; negative and significant correlation was found between education with dangerous and aggressive errors and lapses [P<0.05]; but positive and significant correlation was found between education and aggressive violation [P<0.05]; there was no correlation between education score and ordinary violation; also, no correlation was found between years of driving and wearing safety belt with errors and violence [P>0.05]. The results indicated that the highest scores were specially related to bus drivers and truck drivers. Therefore, it is recommended to perform psychological assessments and adequate training in order to reduce the accident rate at the time of selection and obtaining driving licenses and periodically thereafter

[Comparing psychological status of active and inactive relief workers in road accidents in Darab Township]

Due to constant experience and long-term presence in tragic scenes, active relief workers of Red Crescent society in the road bases are more exposed to psychological consequences of accidents that inactive ones. A few studies are available on this topic. This study aims to compare the psychological status of both active and inactive relief workers in the road bases of Red Crescent society in Darab Township. In this comparative study, 28 of active relief workers were selected in Darab Township road relief bases by using purposeful sampling in 2009. Also about 33 inactive relief workers were selected randomly and completed the symptom checklist [SCL-90-R]. Research data was analyzed by using SPSS [version 16], descriptive statistics indexes and multivariate analysis of variance test [MANOVA]. According to the results, active group scores were higher than inactive ones in SCL-90-R and some other factors such as physical, obsessive, aggressive, phobia and mental distress. Although, there was a meaningful difference in Alfa level [0.05 and 0.001], in some cases as interpersonal sensitivity, depression and additional questions were not meaningful. Regarding the mental vulnerability of relief workers in road accidents, a careful planning about individual and organizational protections for active group is required