SIMULATING INTERVENTION STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING SEAT BELT COMPLIANCE AND MOBILE PHONE USE AMONG DRIVERS IN BAGHDAD
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/aej.v16.25012Keywords:
Seat Belt Compliance, Mobile Phone Use, Safety Interventions,, Road Safety, Seat Belt Compliance, Mobile Phone Use, Safety Interventions, cost-benefit.Abstract
Seat belt non-use and mobile phone use while driving pose major road safety risks in Baghdad, Iraq. A survey of 287 drivers revealed critically low seat belt compliance (35% among drivers; <4% among rear passengers) and high mobile phone use (92%). Lower compliance was significantly associated with older age and less education levels. A simulation model tested six intervention strategies over 1- and 10-year periods. The most effective strategy—combining education with enforcement—achieved a 25.2% improvement in seat belt use and a 36,343% ROI. Education-only strategies, while less effective, were highly cost-efficient (ROI: 113,695%). These findings underscore the importance of long-term, targeted interventions, especially for high-risk demographics. Combining education, enforcement, and technology-based tools can substantially enhance road safety in Baghdad and comparable urban settings.
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