Investigating Helmet Use Behavior by Motorcyclists Using Logistic Regression (Case Study: Yazd City)

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors
Seyed Abouzar Hoseini Aghda 1
Hamed Khani Sanij 2
Mojtaba Rajabi-Bahaabadi 3
1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Civil Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
10.22119/jte.2025.533368.2741
Abstract
Although motorcycles provide relatively low levels of safety for their users, their prevalence has been steadily increasing, particularly in developing countries. This is largely driven by key advantages, including the ability to bypass traffic congestion and comparatively lower acquisition and operating costs relative to automobiles. Nevertheless, motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionately high share of urban traffic-related fatalities and injuries. Prior research has consistently demonstrated that the use of standard helmets is the most effective strategy for mitigating such injuries. However, a continuing challenge for policymakers in the domains of public health and traffic safety is the limited compliance of motorcyclists with helmet-use regulations. In the present study, data were collected through questionnaires completed by motorcyclists in Yazd and analyzed using binary logistic regression to identify the determinants of helmet use and assess the importance of each determinant. After establishing the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, the items were organized into ten conceptual categories. The findings indicate that three broad dimensions, namely motorcyclists’ attitudes, helmet-related characteristics, and the enforcement of traffic laws, play decisive roles in helmet-use behavior. Among these, limited awareness of traffic regulations emerged as the most influential deterrent. This was followed by physical discomfort associated with helmets, dissatisfaction due to heat, and weak enforcement by police authorities. Additional factors, including misperceptions regarding the low likelihood of accidents, misbeliefs about helmet effectiveness, the high cost of helmets, and fear of negative social judgment, also exerted statistically significant but comparatively weaker negative effects on helmet use.
Keywords
Binary logistic regression
validity and reliability
helmets
traffic safety
Subjects
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Quarterly Journal of Transportation Engineering
Volume 17, Issue 3 - Serial Number 68
Winter 2026
Pages 5581-5614

  • Receive Date 09 July 2025
  • Revise Date 02 September 2025
  • Accept Date 27 September 2025