An Analysis of Legislation and Level of Compliance of Key Crash Risk Factors- A Case Study of Islamabad

Abstract

In the present study an analysis of legislation and level of compliance of key crash risk factors (speeding, drink driving, seatbelt, helmet and child restraint) for Islamabad city has been carried out. The data on legislation of key crash risk factors and penalties related to different offenses were obtained from Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) and National Highway and Motorway Police (NHMP). The data on legislation revealed that both enforcing agencies follow Motor Vehicle Ordinance of 1965 with few recent amendments. It was found that there is no legislation on child restraint in Pakistan. However, for seatbelt and helmet use there are well defined laws but the penalty in cases of seatbelt or helmet law violation are substantially low. In addition, comprehensive legislation exists on speeding but practically there is no/very low speed enforcement. Also, appropriate legislation exist for driving under influence with heavy fines and imprisonment up to 6 months.Thenceforth, the level of compliance of key crash risk factors was carried out by conducting self-reported questionnaire survey, speed monitoring by radar gun and interviews from traffic wardens. The survey revealed 67.44 %, 65.8 % and almost negligible, compliance of seatbelt, helmet and child restraint laws respectively. Similarly, speed monitoring revealed an overall 35.22% speed violation with the highest percentage violation on collector roads. Seatbelt usage data modeled using binary logistic regression revealed a low likelihood of seatbelt usage among (1) male drivers (2) taxi drivers (3) drivers with low level of education (3) drivers without history of past crashes (4) drivers that self-reportedly violate speed limits (5) drivers never penalized on seatbelt violation and (6) drivers with no seatbelt auto alarm installed in their vehicles. Also, application of binary logistic model on helmet use data revealed that there is a low likelihood of helmet use in (1) young and novice riders (2) riders without valid driving license (3) riders who reportedly face visibility issues at night due to wearing helmet and (4) riders who reportedly face rearview visibility issues due to helmet use. Interview of selected traffic wardens revealed that opium, hashish and cannabis are commonly consumed drugs and there are no testing equipment like alcohol or pot Breathalyzer that could test drug use among drivers. This is an exploratory study and findings can be useful for enforcement agencies to take appropriate measures such as enhanced enforcement to improve road users’ safety in Pakistan.