Pattern of Seat Belt and Mobile Phone use while driving in an Urban Population of Commercial Drivers

Abstract

Objective: Human error contributes significantly to the occurrence of road traffic accidents (RTAs) and their attendant morbidity and mortality. While driving, distractions such as the use of mobile phones and poor compliance with the use of seat belts play different roles in the occurrence of RTAs and possible injuries arising from them. This study aimed at evaluating the pattern of seat belt and mobile phone use (while driving) in an urban population of commercial drivers It also investigated the relationship between mobile phone use and recorded accidents.
Methods: Commercial intercity vehicle drivers were interviewed face to face at the five major motor parks in Ilorin-Nigeria about mobile phone and seat belt use while driving.
Results: Three hundred and ninety nine (399) commercial intercity vehicle drivers (CIVDs) participated in the study. All were male. Eighty-three drivers (20.8%) had been involved in RTA over the last 10 years and common causes were faulty vehicles 44 (42.7%) and driving errors 22 (21.4%). Two hundred and thirteen (53.4%) of the drivers engaged their seat belts regularly, 151 (37.8%) did so occasionally, and 35 (8.8%) never did. In addition, 155 (38.8%) drivers believed it was always necessary to use their seat belts, while 111 (27.8%) had a contrary opinion. 105 (26.3%) drivers admitted that the seat belts in the vehicles they drove had malfunctioned. Twenty-nine (11.5%) out of 253 mobile phones owners used these devices when driving, while twenty-five (96.9%) out of the 29 drivers who made or received calls in transit did not use hands-free devices. There was no statistically significant association between calls while driving and involvement in RTA (p> 0.05).
Conclusion: The use of mobile phones and poor compliance with the use of seat belts while driving are common among commercial drivers in Ilorin, Nigeria. There is a need for improved education, monitoring, and enforcement of existing laws against these vices to curb these risky habits.

Key words: Commercial drivers, seat belt, mobile phone, road traffic accident