A Preliminary Report on SMART RIDERS: an Intervention to Promote Safe and Respectful Two- Wheeler Riding In Youth

The available research highlights the vulnerability of the motorized two- wheeler riding youth as well as the importance of psychological factors in road traffic injuries. However there is scarcity of intervention programs for promotion of safe riding in youth. This study describes the preliminary field testing of an intervention program called SMART RIDERS aimed at promoting safe and respectful riding behaviors in motorised two- wheeler riding Indian youth. The SMART RIDERS program, developed through pilot surveys of two wheeler riders and pillion riders was field- tested using a controlled trial. Seventy five college-going youth formed the intervention group while 40 formed the control group. The intervention group underwent a brief interactive workshop followed by a one month application phase to popularize safe riding in their peers. The findings indicate significant positive changes in knowledge, attitudes relevant to road safety; self reported aggressive responses to frustrations, decreased easy provocability and general experience of negative emotions while riding a two wheeler in the intervention group as compared to the control group. The SMART RIDERS intervention program has the potential to promote safe and respectful road behaviors in youth using motorised two wheelers and warrants further examination of its utility.