Aberrant Driving Behaviours and Risk Factors Among Heavy Truck Drivers in Benghazi, Libya: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Heavy truck drivers constitute a high-risk occupational group for road traffic accidents, yet limited research has examined the behavioural and psychosocial factors contributing to crash involvement in conflict-affected settings. This cross-sectional study investigated aberrant driving behaviours, work-related factors, and demographic correlates among 100 heavy truck drivers in Benghazi, Libya. Data were collected using the Driver behaviour Questionnaire (DBQ) framework. Results revealed that aggressive violations (Mean = 2.10) were the most prevalent aberrant behaviour category, followed by lapses (2.03), errors (1.96), and ordinary violations (1.59). The highest-rated individual behaviours were expressing anger toward other drivers (mean = 3.83), failure to notice pedestrians or emerging vehicles (Mean = 3.72), and using the horn or chasing to express displeasure (Mean = 3.51). Significant risk factors included extended daily driving hours (22% driving 11–15 hours daily), insufficient sleep (16% sleeping ≤6 hours), and operation of aging vehicles (20% driving trucks aged 33–48 years). Drivers with longer licensing duration (>10 years) demonstrated similar aberrant behaviour patterns to less experienced drivers, suggesting that experience alone does not ensure safe driving practices. Truck age and driver age emerged as the main predictors of aberrant driving behaviours. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions addressing anger management, hazard perception training, fatigue countermeasures, and enforcement of work-hour regulations. The study contributes to the limited literature on road safety in post-conflict settings and provides an evidence base for developing culturally appropriate driver safety programs in Libya and similar contexts.