Alghnam Suliman, Towhari Jawaher, Alkelya Mohamed, Binahmad Abdulaziz, Bell Teresa Maria
Population Health Section-King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Inj Epidemiol. 2018 Aug 6;5(1):31. doi: 10.1186/s40621-018-0161-z.
Because 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.
The 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.
This 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.
由于沙特阿拉伯（SA）在数十年间一直承受道路交通伤害（RTIs）的负担，2018年实施了一种新的自动 citation 系统，以提高对安全带和手机使用法律的遵守情况。因此，本研究的目的是评估该系统对利雅得司机安全带和手机使用普及率的影响。这是一项在2017年至2018年期间进行的观察性研究。采用前后评估来确定摄像头检测系统对安全带和手机使用的影响。两名研究协调员在利雅得周围的几条高速公路和市内交叉路口收集观察数据（n = 3400）。我们使用卡方检验评估两个时间段内安全带和手机使用普及率的差异。此外，我们使用逻辑回归模型评估新干预措施与交通违规之间的关联。
总体安全带合规率从33.9%（95%可信区间 = 31.7 - 36.2）显著提高到75.8%（95%可信区间 = 73.7 - 77.8；P < 0.01）。此外，手机使用从13.8%（95%可信区间 = 12.2 - 15.5）显著下降到9.8%（95%可信区间 = 8.8 - 9.1；P < 0.01）。我们发现检测系统与安全带使用的显著增加以及驾驶时手机使用的显著下降相关。实施干预措施后，司机系安全带的可能性比该技术生效前高6.1倍（比值比 = 6.1，95%可信区间 = 5.2 - 7.0）。同样，在安装摄像头后观察到的司机在驾驶时使用手机的可能性比干预前观察到的司机低32%（比值比 = 0.68，95%可信区间 = 0.55，0.84）。
本研究发现利雅得实施摄像头检测系统后交通违规行为显著减少。这一积极影响证明了预防性结构策略在改善沙特阿拉伯交通安全和减少道路交通伤害方面所起的作用。因此，这些发现可能有助于进一步支持政策制定者，即公共卫生干预措施在改善交通安全方面发挥着重要作用。应继续监测驾驶时的安全带和手机使用情况，交通警察可以评估提高罚款是否与交通违规行为及相关事故的显著减少相关。
