The effectiveness of introducing detection cameras on compliance with mobile phone and seatbelt laws: a before-after study among drivers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BackgroundBecause Saudi Arabia (SA) has struggled with the burden of Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) for decades, a new automated citations system was implemented in 2018 to improve compliance with seatbelt and mobile phone laws. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the system on the prevalence of seatbelt and mobile phone use among drivers in Riyadh. This is an observational study conducted between 2017 and 2018. A Pre-Post evaluation was employed to determine the impact of a camera detection system on seatbelt and mobile phone use. Two research coordinators collected the observations at several highways and inner intersections around Riyadh (n = 3400). We evaluated differences in the prevalence of seatbelt and mobile phone use across the two time periods using a chi-2 test. In addition, we evaluated the association between the new intervention and traffic violation using a logistic regression model.ResultsThe overall seatbelt compliance increased significantly from 33.9% (95% CI = 31.7–36.2) to 75.8% (95% CI = 73.7–77.8; P < 0.01). In addition, mobile phone use declined significantly from 13.8% (95% CI = 12.2–15.5) to 9.8 (95% CI = 8.8–9.1; P < 0.01). We found the detection system to be associated with a significant increase in seatbelt use and also a significant decline in mobile phone use while driving. After implementing the intervention, drivers were 6.1 times (OR = 6.1, 95% CI = 5.2–7.0) more likely to wear seatbelts than before the technology went into effect. Similarly, drivers observed after implementing the cameras were 32% (OR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.55,0.84) less likely to use mobile phones while driving than those seen prior to the intervention.ConclusionsThis study found a significant reduction in traffic violations following the implementation of a camera detection system in Riyadh. This positive impact is evidence for the role preventative structural strategies play to improve traffic safety and reduce RTI in SA. Therefore, these findings may facilitate further support for policymakers that public health interventions play a significant role to improve traffic safety. Seatbelt and mobile phone use while driving should continue to be monitored, and traffic police may evaluate whether increasing the fine is associated with a significant reduction in traffic violations and associated crashes.

Predictors of Seatbelt Use Among Saudi Adults: Results From the National Biobank Project

“…However, the low compliance rate might be attributed to the recentness of introducing these preventive measures compared to other countries (20). Although a seatbelt law was established in 2000 (13), strict enforcement came years later in 2018, such as the installation of surveillance cameras to detect violations (12).…”

“…Responsible driving is among the most effective and efficient preventive behaviors against RTCs and includes adhering to the speed limit, following traffic signals, cellphone-free driving, and correctly using seatbelts. Thus, KSA has installed surveillance cameras to detect a lack of adherence in an effort to promote safe driving behaviors, which has been associated with an increase in compliance with traffic laws in Riyadh (12). The rate of seatbelt use while driving is low in KSA, with only 60% of drivers and 22.7% of front-seat passengers using them in 2005 (13).…”

“…Low rates of seatbelt use were also reported in the Eastern Province of KSA, ranging from 43 to 47% for drivers and 26-30% for front-seat passengers, with even lower rates for rear-seat users (16). However, most of the studies done to estimate the prevalence of seatbelt use in KSA are out-dated, and there are substantial differences in the reported estimates (12). Therefore, a more updated and comprehensive analysis is warranted to better inform policymakers, researchers, and the public.…”

Prevalence of and factors associated with self-reported noncompliance with mandatory seatbelt-use law while driving among adults in Kuwait

“…Resultantly, mere seatbelt law enactment was not delivering the desired results. Therefore, targeted education about the traffic laws followed by strict implementation and inflicting heavy penalty to seatbelt law violators may help minimize the related morbidity and mortality in this and other settings in the region as happened relatively recently in adult driving population in Saudi Arabia, wherein strict enforcement of law and heavy penalties to seatbelt law violators resulted to an increased seatbelt use from 34 to 76% among drivers (Alghnam et al 2018a ).…”

“…Being unaware of mandatory seatbelt-use law in the country, belief that seatbelt does not protect during RTC, and having ever been fined in the past for not having seatbelt on while driving were significant predictors of noncompliance with mandatory seatbelt-use law. Therefore, a focused educational campaign and rigorous enforcement of seatbelt-use law may bring substantial improvement in the adherence to this law and minimize the RTCs related injuries and mortality among the adult drivers in Kuwait as much these interventions have shown their effectiveness in the neighboring countries in the region including Iran and Saudi Arabia, where in particular seatbelt use increased from 34 to 76% subsequent to intervention (Alghnam et al 2018a ; Soori et al 2009 , 2011 ). If implemented, future studies may look at the impact of such interventions on RTCs related frequency and severity of injuries in this and other similar settings.…”