THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HDI VALUES AND ROAD TRAFFIC FATALITY RATES

Abstract

Road traffic accidents are a serious but an avoidable problem that cause both life and economic

loss worldwide. There are some common factors such as income, education and health that affect

both socioeconomic development and road traffic fatality rates of countries. Examination of these

factors separately during the analyze of road traffic fatality rates might cause misleading results

due to the relationships between stated variables. Thus, using an inclusive parameter like Human

Development Index (HDI), may provide more realistic results. In the current study, the

relationship between HDI, its dimensions (GNI per capita, expected years of schooling, mean

years of schooling and life expectancy at birth) and road traffic fatality rates are examined.

Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted in order to obtain results about the effects of each

dimension of HDI. Results showed that all dimensions of HDI negatively predicted road traffic

fatalities. Results have been discussed according to related literature and suggestions have been

made for further research and applications.