Drivers Perspective on Wearing Seat Belt and Use of Mobile Phone While Driving in Metropolitan City

Abstract

Motorbikes and cars share a highest proportion (33.9 and 24.5%) of total crashes. Most of these crashes result in crash tragedy which increases the severity and is a result of not wearing seat belt or use of mobile. The study aims in analyzing the perspective of drivers toward wearing seat belt and use of mobile phone. Online and field survey was conducted along with observational survey. A logistic regression analysis is carried to find the risky factors influencing not to wear seat belt and use of mobile. It is observed that nearly 50% of drivers are not wearing seat belt, and 94.1% of passengers in rear end were also not wearing seat belts. Wearing seat belt by yellow plate drivers is 10% less that of white plate drivers. The use of mobile phone was noticed during morning hours of the day in the age group of 26–35 years. The highest risk of not wearing seat belt and use of mobile phone was observed on minor roads among the age group of 36–50 years and on weekends. The factors influencing are type of car, road type, time of day, and day of the week which are found to be significant for wearing seat belt and use of mobile phone. The results from this study will be useful for reducing the crash severity rates by implementing appropriate awareness and enforcement programs in and around the metropolitan cities.