Original Article

Exploring Measures to Control Road Traffic Injuries in Iran: Key Informants Points of View

Abstract

Background: Injuries and fatalities from road traffic Injuries are global public health concerns, and a major problem in the Iran. This study aimed to explore strategies to control road traffic Injuries (RTI) in Iran.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study to explore possible ways to reduce the occurrence of road traffic Injuries in Iran in 2016. Interviewees were purposively sampled from various sectors due to multidisciplinary nature of RTIs. Participants were mainly representatives from the police, Ministry of Road, Municipal, emergency services and Ministry of Health. Besides, public health authorities, researchers, and university professors were interviewed. We conducted in-depth interviews using generic guides. Data was analyzed using MAXQDA 10 software. Through content analysis, we interpreted core themes relevant to the accomplishment of our study objectives.

Results: Themes that emerged from our study include; road traffic management, governance, education, improving accident database, enforcement, driving license restrictions, and construction of pedestrian overpass.

Conclusion: This study revealed key informants’ views regarding available and affordable solutions to reduce RTIs in Iran. Many applicable strategies are identified in the control of RTIs in Iran. Although some solutions such as highway construction and/or expanding rail transportation have been suggested as effective measures for reducing accident, but they are costly and may not be fully applied in developing countries like Iran.

 

Moafian G, Aghabeigi MR, Hoseinzadeh A, Lankarani KB, Sarikhani Y, Heydari ST (2013). An epidemiologic survey of road traffic accidents in Iran: analysis of driver-related factors. Chin J Traumatol,16(3):140-4.

Shahraz S, Bartels D, Puthenpurakal JA et al (2009). Adverse health outcomes of road traffic injuries in Iran after rapid motorization. Arch Iran Med,12(3):284-294.

Sadeghniiat-Haghighi K, Moller HJ, Saraei M, Aminian O, Khajeh-Mehrizi A (2014).The epworth sleepiness scale for screening of the drowsy driving: Comparison with the maintenance of wakefulness test in an Iranian sample of commercial drivers. Acta Med Iran,52(2):125-9.

Heydari ST, Sarikhani Y, Moafian G, Aghabeigi MR, Mahmoodi M, Ghaffarpasand F, Hoseinzadeh A (2013). Time analysis of fatal traffic accidents in Fars Province of Iran. Chin J Traumatol,16(2):84-8.

Montazeri A (2004). Road-traffic-related mortality in Iran: a descriptive study. Public Health,118(2):110-3.

Bahadorimonfared A, Soori H, Mehrabi Y, Delpisheh A, Esmaili A, Salehi M, Bakhtiyari M (2013). Trends of fatal road traffic injuries in Iran (2004–2011). PLoS One, 8(5): e65198.

Anonymous (2015). Annual national report of accidents statistics, Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran.Available from: http://www.lmo.ir/uploads/mtas_10_95.pdf

Ainy E, Soori H, Riahi M, Vahabzadeh E, Mohebi A, Amiri M (2014).The effect of new road traffic laws on fatal and non-fatal injury rates in Iran. Int J Epidemiol Res,1(1):16-23.

Khorasani-Zavareh D, Mohammadi R, Khankeh HR, Laflamme L, Bikmoradi A, Haglund BJA (2009). The requirements and challenges in preventing of road traffic injury in Iran. A qualitative study. BMC Public Health,9(1):486.

Belin M Å, Tillgren P, Vedung E (2012). Vision Zero–a road safety policy innovation.Int J Inj Contr Saf Promot,19(2):171-9.

Khorasani-Zavareh D, Khankeh HR, Mohammadi R, Laflamme L, Bikmoradi A, Haglund BJA (2009). Post-crash management of road traffic injury victims in Iran. Stakeholders' views on current barriers and potential facilitators. BMC Emerg Med, 9(1):8.

Wegman F, Berg HY, Cameron I, Thompson C, Siegrist S, Weijermars W (2015). Evidence-based and data-driven road safety management. IATSS Research, 39(1): 19-25.

Khorshidi A, Ainy E, Sabagh M, Soori H (2015). Traffic injury data collection in Iran, challenges and solutions. J Saf Promot Inj Prev, 3(1): 35-42.

Pilkington P, Kinra S (2005). Effectiveness of speed cameras in preventing road traffic collisions and related casualties: systematic review. BMJ, 330(7487): 331-4.

Peek-Asa C (1999). The effect of random alcohol screening in reducing motor vehicle crash injuries.Am J Prev Med, 16(1 Suppl):57-67.

Kim J. A Review of the Traffic Safety Culture in Europe to Improve Pedestrian Safety in the US: Lessons from France and Sweden [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Washington, the United States; 2014.

Files
IssueVol 46 No 5 (2017) QRcode
SectionOriginal Article(s)
Keywords
Measures Control Road traffic injuries Iran

Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
1.
SALARI H, MOTEVALIAN SA, ARAB M, ESFANDIARI A, AKBARI SARI A. Exploring Measures to Control Road Traffic Injuries in Iran: Key Informants Points of View. Iran J Public Health. 2017;46(5):671-676.