Seat-belt use among drivers and front passengers: an observational study from the Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

Although seat-belts are the most effective means of preventing severe injuries and deaths from road accidents, drivers and passengers in many developing countries neglect to wear them. This study aimed to measure the rate of use of seat-belts and factors affecting their use in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. In direct observations of 7718 vehicles at randomly selected sites in Tehran, 77.9% of drivers and 43.7% of front passenger had seat-belts fastened. More women used seat-belts than did men while driving but fewer as front-seat passengers. Rates of seat-belt wearing among both drivers and front passengers of vans and pick-up vehicles was low. In a separate interview study of 666 citizens, 62.4% stated that they always wore seat-belts while driving. The most frequently reported reasons for using seat-belts were avoiding fines, fear of injuries and respecting the law. To improve seatbelt use, it is recommended that law enforcement accompanied by public education should be a priority. RÉSUMÉ Le port de la ceinture de sécurité est le moyen le plus efficace pour la prévention des traumatismes sévères et des décès dans les accidents de la circulation. Pourtant, les conducteurs et les passagers de nombreux pays en développement négligent cet acte. La présente étude visait à mesurer le taux d'utilisation de la ceinture de sécurité et les facteurs influant sur celle-ci à Téhéran (République islamique d'Iran). À partir de l'observation directe de 7718 véhicules sur des sites sélectionnés aléatoirement à Téhéran, il a été constaté que 77,9 % des conducteurs et 43,7 % des passagers assis à l'avant avaient bouclé leur ceinture. Les conductrices étaient plus nombreuses à mettre leur ceinture que les conducteurs mais moins nombreuses à porter la ceinture de sécurité en tant que passagères assises à l'avant. Dans les fourgons et les camionnettes, les taux d'utilisation de la ceinture chez les conducteurs comme chez les passagers des sièges avant étaient faibles. Dans une étude par entrevues distincte au cours de laquelle 666 personnes ont été interrogées, 62,4 % ont déclaré toujours porter leur ceinture de sécurité lorsqu'elles conduisaient. Les motifs les plus fréquemment évoqués pour justifier le port de la ceinture étaient les suivants : éviter les amendes, craindre les traumatismes et respecter la loi. Afin d'améliorer le port de la ceinture de sécurité,il est recommandé que l'application de la loi et l'éducation du public deviennent des priorités. ‫اإلسالمية‬ ‫إيران‬ ‫مجهورية‬

Seat belt use among car drivers in Iranian safe communities: An observational study

“…This could be related to a higher level of traffic law enforcement and a stronger safe driving culture in Kashmar. However, in agreement with previous Iranian research, the results of the current study showed that female drivers wore seat belts more often than males (Borghebani et al, 2012, Sadeghnejad et al, 2014, Nabipour et al, 2014. This was to be expected as this finding has also been reported in other countries (Nabipour et al, 2014, Afukaar et al, 2010, Crandon et al, 2006, Popoola et al, 2013, Ma et al, 2012, Ipingbemi, 2012, Olukoga et al, 2011, Crandon et al, 1996.…”

“…Further, in Khalilabad and Bardaskan private car drivers wore a seat belt more often than those in the -other‖ group. This is supported by previous research in Tehran, which also found that taxi drivers used seat belts more frequently than those driving private cars, vans, or pickup trucks (Sadeghnejad et al, 2014). Furthermore, observational research in Nigeria showed that seat belt fastening among drivers of private cars and taxis were both higher than bus drivers (Iribhogbe and Osime, 2008).…”

“…In addition, Sadeghnejad et al (2014) reported the most common reasons for not wearing a seatbelt were a lack of awareness of the risk, a lack of awareness of the regulations and not being in the habit of wearing a seat-belt.…”

“…International Safe Communities. Unfortunately, there is no earlier data about the level of seat belt use in these Safe Communities, but previous research in Tehran, which is another Iranian Safe Community, found that more than 70% of drivers were using a seat belt (Nabipour et al, 2014, Sadeghnejad et al, 2014.…”

“…In contrast, the results of observational research on drivers' seat belt wearing in developing countries have shown that rates are considerably lower, including: 1% in Kenya, 9% in Argentina, 17.6% in Ghana, 47% in South Africa, 55% in Russia, 57% in Nigeria, 61.0% in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), 47-70% in Turkey and 71.6% in Thailand (Nabipour et al, 2014, Siviroj et al, 2012, Popoola et al, 2013, Özkan et al, 2012, Bendak and Al-Saleh, 2013 (Nabipour et al, 2014). In another study in Tehran, also in the same year, researchers found seat belt use was 77% (Sadeghnejad et al, 2014). Unfortunately, there is only one observational study which was carried out prior to the above-mentioned research in Iran.…”