Seatbelt and child restraint use among vehicle occupants in Ho Chi Minh City: an observational study in Vietnam. Issue 3 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adetunji, Oluwarantimi; Li, Qingfeng; Pham, Cuong Viet; Thi, Ngan Tran; Bachani, Abdulgafoor M.
• Is Part Of: International journal of injury control and safety promotion. Volume 27:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 319
• Page End: 326
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: Child restraint system -- seatbelt -- car seat -- Southeast Asia -- penalties -- behaviour; Wounds and injuries -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Wounds and Injuries -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Consumer Product Safety -- Periodicals; 363.107
• DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2020.1774620
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1745-7300

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents the trend of seatbelt use, disaggregated by vehicle occupants, in Ho Chi Minh City between 2016 and 2018. We conducted statistical analyses to identify the determinants of seatbelt use, including the effect of a new fine imposed against seatbelt law violation in the rear seats that became effective in January 2018. Seatbelt use was observed in at least half of all vehicle occupants, and drivers were more likely to use seatbelts than passengers. Only 4.4% of children younger than 5-years and 2.5% of 5 to12-year-olds used a child restraint system. Seatbelt use increased among all occupants after the imposed fine, especially among rear-seat passengers. Imposing new or increasing fixed penalties, with enforcement and public education, may increase seatbelt use to prevent road traffic injuries.