Driving can be considered as a goal-directed behavior, i.e. going from one place to another. Reaching the destination in time and maintaining safety are the two main aspects or goals while driving, when these goals get blocked, emotions may occur, which in turn leads to behavioral change. Any ‘interruption’ of goal-directed behavior is likely to release a negative effect and any ‘Promotion’ of goal-directed behavior is more likely to induce a positive effect. In this study, various behavioral driving of road users in Gorakhpur district (U.P.), India is studied with the help of instrument Drivers behavior questionnaire and their relationship with road accidents is also done. A total of 391 drivers were randomly assigned to complete the survey and the finding shows that 12.4 percent of drivers are likely to make errors and 8.9 percent have critical driving behavior. Both groups of driver’s behaviors are very dangerous to other drivers and this behavior is seen to be significantly related to gender. Even though the study found that the percentages of drivers who commit aggressive as well as ordinary violations are small, but they should consider road safety because they travel on roads daily to do their work and other social responsibilities.

Road users, Drivers behavior, Road safety, Road safety in Gorakhpur, Traffic Safety, Road safety in India

This study aims to find an overview of driving behavior patterns of road users in Gorakhpur district situated in India. Commuting on road to commute to work and social activities is a necessity in almost every city in India. To relate to accidents statistic, several cases reported show an increasing and disturbing trend. The finding shows that 12.4 percent of drivers are likely to commit errors and 8.9 percent shows the tendency of critical driving behavior. Most of the literature found that both groups of driver’s behaviors are statically significant towards road fatalities [20, 21, 22] Even though the study found that the percentages of drivers who commit errors and violations are small, but they cannot leave because they use road networks on daily basis to do their work and for their other social responsibilities. If talking about demographic relationship, young male drivers have higher tendency to do ordinary errors and aggressive violations. Although the education level does not indicate a significant effect on any driving pattern, the vehicles used by drivers and according to their marital status, at least, proves that lapses are mostly committed by drivers of buses and trucks and singles. Lapses can be avoided by enforcing vehicle maker to equip with the latest technology such as reverse automatic sensor, remote sensing and others. Government should also run road safety awareness campaign among new drivers having driving experience less than 2 years.

Gupta, Ashutosh and Mishra, A. K. (2020). Driver Behavior as Road Safety Indicator– A Case Study of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. International Journal on Emerging Technologies, 11(5): 724–733.