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Citation |
Klair AA, Arfan M. Traffic Injury Prev. 2014; 15(7): 706-710. |
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Affiliation |
Chief Instructor at National Highways and Motorways Police (NH&MP) Training College , Sheikhupura , Pakistan. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2014, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
24433015 |
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Abstract |
OBJECTIVES: Traffic crashes are leading cause of deaths and injuries in Pakistan. WHO estimates that approximately 30,131 people die in road crashes annually on Pakistani roads (WHO, 2013). The use of seat belt can be effective device to reduce road crash fatalities in Pakistan but under existing seat belt laws, seat belt wearing is mandatory only for driver and is limited to specific vehicles and roads. Primarily, this study was aimed to measure seat belt wearing rates among Pakistani vehicle occupants. It was meant to investigate the factors influencing the compliance behavior of seat belt use among vehicle drivers. Second objective was to gauge the enforcement of seat belt laws and their effectiveness in Pakistan. METHODS: A first ever national survey was conducted for the systematic recording of seat belt use rates among Pakistani drivers and front passengers on five different kinds of roads. Factors influencing compliance behavior of seat belt use were gauged through a questionnaire study on five different kinds of roads. Commitment level of different traffic police organizations to enforce seat belt laws was also measured through their last year's enforcement data. RESULTS: Average seat belt wearing rates were found 20% with highest on Motorway (53%) and minimum on rural road (5%). Unawareness of law/usefulness, seat belt not fitted, discomfort, forgetfulness, low speed and careless attitude were found major reasons for non compliance of seat belt laws among Pakistani drivers. Seat belt wearing rates were directly proportional to law enforcement strength and NH&MP showed a maximum enforcement on M-2.There is dire need to revise existing seat belt laws in order to raise seat belt wearing rates in Pakistan. Language: en |