Experts noted that studies have determined 98 percent of traffic accidents are due to human error and 40 percent are work-related, stating that measures taken will be effective in preventing accidents. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Expert Özgür Şener, stating that he continues his work with the goal of minimizing human-induced and work-related accidents, said that the Road Traffic Safety course is being offered for the first time in our country under the roof of a university.
Road traffic safety offered as a “course” at university
Instructor Özgür Şener from Uskudar University's Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Occupational Health and Safety, provided information about the Road Traffic Safety course.
Road traffic safety course is being offered
The Road Traffic Safety and Occupational Health and Safety Consultant stated that the Road Traffic Safety course is offered to 3rd-year students in the Occupational Health and Safety department. Şener noted that during the course, they discuss road traffic safety practices carried out under the umbrella of occupational health and safety in our country and around the world, emphasizing the importance of training in preventing accidents.
5,362 people died in traffic accidents in 2021
Şener stated that in 2021, 1,186,353 traffic accidents occurred, resulting in 5,362 fatalities and 274,614 injuries, adding, “98 percent of traffic accidents are caused by human error. The cost of traffic accidents is also quite high. Until now, we were proceeding with data such as ‘The driver made a mistake in traffic accidents,’ ‘The driver used the vehicle incorrectly,’ ‘The driver lost control of the vehicle,’ ‘The driver sped.’ Yes, there is a fault in the system, but we understood that it is not entirely due to the driver. In a study conducted in 2018, the European Union found that 40 percent of traffic accidents in its member countries were work-related. In fact, if we look at our country, we have a chance to prevent a significant portion, 40 percent, of traffic accidents through the efforts of the occupational health and safety department. That's why this course is very important.”
A first in Turkey!
The Road Traffic Safety and Occupational Health and Safety Consultant, stating that the Road Traffic Safety course is being offered for the first time under the roof of a university in Turkey, said, “The Road Traffic Safety course has been introduced for the first time in the Occupational Health and Safety department. Uskudar University has demonstrated significant leadership in this regard. We hope that our students will not only become experts in 'road traffic safety' but also teach courses at universities in the future. Because traffic is an important element of our lives. Opening a separate chair or department in this field in the future will be effective in preventing traffic accidents.”
Şener stated that many factors, such as driver training, road quality, and traffic documents, are involved in preventing traffic accidents, and that when viewed holistically, the importance of road traffic safety is understood.
Şener noted that with the Safe System Approach, it is not possible to achieve results in accident prevention solely through improvements on the driver's side, and emphasized the need for a Road Traffic Safety Management System that includes improvements in drivers, vehicles, road and traffic conditions, as well as control and inspection systems. Şener stated that one of the most fundamental human rights is the right to transportation, adding, “This department has an important mission, particularly in preventing traffic accidents. I hope that the leadership shown by our university in this area will soon be transferred to other universities, and we will succeed in bringing Road Traffic Safety under the umbrella of Occupational Health and Safety efforts. Therefore, it is important as a first.”
Driver-related data can be processed
Road Traffic Safety and Occupational Health and Safety Consultant Özgür Şener stated that artificial intelligence-based systems can be evaluated within the scope of Road Traffic Safety, adding, “Under the umbrella of Road Traffic Safety, we are now able to collect all data from inside and outside the vehicle. We will professionally process all this data and use it for improvements. For example, today's vehicles have camera systems that use artificial intelligence to learn many data points, such as whether the driver is wearing a seatbelt, driver fatigue, propensity to talk on a mobile phone, or holding the steering wheel with one hand, and can now react instantly.”
Uskudar University achieved another first
Head of Uskudar University's OHS Department, Dr. Rüştü Uçan, also highlighted that Uskudar University became the first university to establish a laboratory in OHS by opening the Prof. Dr. Hilmi Sabuncu OHS Laboratory and Application Area. Uçan said, “In our curricula, we have opened many courses tailored to the needs of the field that are not available at other universities. These courses were taught by academic staff who are professionals in the field. For example, I can list Auto-Cad, ADR (International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road), ESD (Explosion Protection Document), and Modeling courses. We observed that students who took these courses created a positive difference among undergraduate students. This year, we have added the Road Traffic Safety course as part of Traffic Management Systems to our curriculum, again as a first in Turkey. This course will be taught by our esteemed lecturer Özgür Şener, who is one of the few experts on this subject. He will also conduct practical exercises for students in the drill area.”