Factors influencing motorcycle crash risk and accident prediction ability: The role of hazard perception training in Thailand

Road traffic crashes remain a critical public issue in Thailand, particularly among motorcycle riders. In-depth accident investigations have identified perceptual failure, specifically the lack of hazard perception skills, as a key contributing factor in motorcycle-related crashes. Despite various road safety measures, empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of hazard perception training for motorcyclists remains limited. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with motorcycle crash and near-miss involvement among riders in Thailand, evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed hazard perception training program in improving accident prediction skills of motorcycle riders in Thailand, and identify factors associated with accident prediction ability. A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 1,649 motorcycle riders in Thailand. Participants were allocated to either a hazard perception training group (n = 809; 473 males and 336 females) or a control group (n = 840; 533 males and 307 females) in a post-test-only between-subjects design. The study also included 981 young riders aged 15-24 years as a subgroup analysis. Multiple Linear Regression was used to analyze factors associated with accident prediction test scores, while Binary Logistic Regression and Ordered Logistic Regression models were applied to examine factors related to crash and near-miss involvement. The results indicated that participants who received hazard perception training achieved higher accident prediction test scores than those in the control group (84.37 % vs. 82.50 %), with an effect size (Cohen's d = 0.24, 95 % CI: 0.14-0.34). Multiple Linear Regression analysis further indicated that hazard perception training was significantly associated with higher accident prediction test scores after adjusting for covariates (p < 0.001). The findings suggest an association between hazard perception training and higher accident prediction performance among motorcycle riders who received the training. This study provides empirical evidence to support the integration of hazard perception training into motorcycle safety education programs in Thailand, including its incorporation into the motorcycle licensing curriculum.