Encourage the introduction of a 3-star (or higher) helmet in low- and middle-income countries.
ABSTRACT
• Motorcyclists account for a high proportion of road traffic injuries and deaths in low- and middle-income countries.
• Helmet use is challenging and a risk factor for head injuries.
Adopting and enforcing helmet legislation leads to increased helmet use and reduced traffic deaths.
TO DO
• Better document and provide evidence on the prevalence of non-standard, low-quality helmets in low- and middle-income countries.
• Start introducing higher quality helmets, meeting the UN minimum standard at an “affordable” price.
• Interact with a helmet manufacturer to demonstrate that there might be a market for better quality helmets.
• Sensitize politicians, legislators and market users.
THE ‘AFFORDABLE HELMETS’ INITIATIVE
Background and key figures
In February 2017, the new Traffic, Transportation and Road Safety Law of the Dominican Republic was promulgated. In all cases, both the Law and the motorcycle regulations speak of approved helmets but in no case is the type of approval established. A document with a legislative analysis is attached. Appendix 1.
If we look at the figures presented by OPSEVI, the Permanent Observatory for Road Safety, a unit of INTRANT:
In 2018, the number of deaths in road accidents was 3,006 deaths with a mortality rate of 29.78.
When analyzing traffic accidents based on sex, we show a constant trend in the proportion of victims, observing that during the period 2016-2018 more than 88% of them were men, while women represented approximately 12% of the total. total deaths. This fact can be explained, among other factors, by the fact that more than three quarters of individuals who own vehicles are men. Specifically, the 2019 vehicle fleet report, published by the General Directorate of Internal Taxes, indicates that 77.5% of this population corresponds to men, while 22.5% corresponds to women. Similarly, 83.4% of motorcycle owners are men and the remaining 16.6% are women.
Next, we can identify a very similar behavior in the period 2016-2018 in relation to the ages and sex of the victims who died in road accidents, concluding that the main victims are men, mostly young people between the ages of 15 and 34.
When analyzing the proportions of deaths due to traffic by age group, we observe that during the period 2016-2018 a similar trend has been maintained, so that it is still young people between 15 and 34 years of age who mostly lose their lives on our roads.
When analyzing the accident rate by type of vehicle or means of transportation used by the victim at the time of the event, it is observed that motorcycles are the most prevalent type of vehicle, followed by pedestrians.
Of 3,006 deaths in 2018, 1,573 traveled by motorcycle, that is, 52%.
The number of injured in 2018 was 109,705 people.
In the Dominican Republic there is a means of public transportation by motorcycle called motoconcho, which according to surveys conducted by OPSEVI, 30% of the population used public transportation and 24.5% use the motoconcho modality, that is, public transportation by motorcycle.
If we analyze the vehicle fleet, 54% are motorcycles.
This high percentage is associated with characteristics such as low economic cost, climate and easy handling, which predispose the motorcycle to be the most widely used means of transport.
52% of motorcycles used in public transport.
Based on an observational study, 73% of drivers do not wear a helmet and in the case of the passenger 98%.
Current Helmet Legislation and Standards
Currently there is no standard required for the helmet, it is only established that it must be an approved helmet and we are waiting for the regulations to establish what will be the approval accepted in the Dominican Republic.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
1. Raise awareness and educate about the importance of wearing an approved helmet.
2. Present the advantages of a 3-star helmet to government authorities and share the UN 22.05 standard for helmet approval, both with the regulatory body INTRANT and with INDOCAL, the Dominican Institute of Quality.
3. Deliver the donation of helmets to large groups of helmet users that have a direct impact on road accidents
4. Increase helmet use
CURRENT SITUATION
Within the framework of Road Safety Week and working for safer motorists, we delivered the first donation of certified helmets at the INTRANT headquarters. Each motorist was given their new helmet and they were made aware of the importance of using it correctly.
Oscar Diaz from the FIA foundation visited the Dominican Republic to assist to the first giveaway of helmets hosted by Automovil Club Dominicano.
Also meetings were held in DIGESET and INTRANT to promote the use of certified and accessible helmets.
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