Analysis of injuries and deaths from road traffic accidents in Morocco: Driver behaviors assessment and prevention perspectives

Abstract

• Road traffic accidents constitute a real public health problem given the high mortality and morbidity they cause. • A survey of road accidents covering the period of 2017–2023 was conducted in Morocco. • The majority of cases, young people aged 20–29 are the most represented among the victims, with a clear predominance of men. • Road accidents cause product physical health injuries and deaths. Road traffic accidents constitute a real public health problem given the high mortality and morbidity they cause. The study aimed the evaluation of the relationship between driver behavior and road accident in Morocco. In a retrospective study covering a period of 2017–2023, data were collected about all vehicles that were registered by the road traffic police after being involved in a road traffic accident from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2023. Multivariate analyses were conducted using logistic regressions, constructed to identify the factors contributing to the occurrence (yes/no) of an accident. The odds ratios (OR) are presented with their 95% confidence intervals. The findings show that in the majority of cases, young people aged 20 to 29 are the most represented among the victims, with a clear predominance of men. Users of motorized two-wheeled vehicles are more involved compared to other road users. Most of the victims are mainly non-official workers. The injury assessment shows that victims aged 20 to 29 suffer the most from multiple minor injuries, followed by the 30–39 years driver category. 41.59 % without injury, 6.87 % serious injuries, 48.39 % minor injuries, and 0.49 % of accidents are fatal. Road accidents cause productive losses through work stoppage and physical health injuries and deaths. Young drivers are the group of drivers most likely to crash. Preventing road accidents requires awareness campaigns for behavior change. These findings provide a solid empirical foundation to inform future research on behavioral risk factors and can serve as a basis for developing targeted public policies to effectively guide strategies for preventing and improving road safety in Morocco.