Helmet non-compliance among motorized two-wheelers: Insights from public opinion surveys

Abstract

Motorized two-wheelers (MTWs) are vulnerable road users and prone to severe injury crashes. Low- and middle-income countries like India have recorded significantly higher fatalities among MTW users compared to other vehicle types. Helmet usage has significantly reduced MTW crash severities globally. Statistics indicate that more than 37% of MTW-related crash injuries in India are attributed to the non-usage of helmets. Therefore, this study aims to identify the factors contributing to helmet non-compliance among Indian MTW users. For this purpose, face-to-face public opinion surveys were conducted in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Pune in Maharashtra, India. A detailed questionnaire was designed to capture MTW users’ socio-demographic characteristics, riding characteristics, and general perceptions and attitudes toward helmet usage. Analyzing the MTW users’ opinions using structural equation modeling revealed that absence of law enforcement, helmet exemption attitude, usage inconvenience, and regional behavior were key factors affecting helmet non-usage. Furthermore, an ordinal logistic regression model developed from stated preference survey questions indicated a significant increase in helmet usage preference with the availability of dedicated helmet storage and law enforcement presence. The study findings can aid in formulating various national and state-level policies to improve helmet compliance among MTW users.