The rate of seat belt use and its related factors among car drivers in Tehran, Iran after imposing new regulations

Abstract

The incidence of road crash deaths is high in Iran. Seat belts can reduce the risk of death or serious injury. This study aimed to estimate the rate of seat belt use and its related factors for car drivers in Tehran, Iran after proclamation of the 2011 legislation. A roadside observational study was conducted in 2012 and 10,752 cars and taxis commuting in different streets of Tehran were screened in regard to drivers' seat belt wearing. Other variables including gender, age range, type of street, district, time of day and day of week were also collected. The rate of seat belt use was 70.9%, and was significantly higher in females, elders and on freeways and significantly less in afternoon hours, side streets and in taxi drivers. The rate of seat belt use in Tehran (a representative of Iran) is still low despite the implementation of new legislations. More initiatives are needed to increase this rate especially in certain groups and areas.

Keywords:

• seat belt use rate
• Tehran
• Iran

This study was approved at the Environmental Medicine Research Committee, at the School of Public Health, and funded by Kerman Medical University. We thank Ms. Farahnazsadat Soltani who cooperated with us in data collection and data entry.