Abstract—The Kumasi is one of the most endemic areas for road traffic fatalities involving vehicle occupants, in spite of efforts at encouraging vehicle occupants to belt-up. In order to mitigate the situation, it has been advocated that more vehicle occupants be encouraged to belt-up, unfortunately, usage rate is low. This study was therefore undertaken to ascertain reasons for non-compliance. An attitudinal survey was carried out at bus terminals, taxi ranks, and parking lots. The data analysis was done using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and SPSS. In all, there were a total of 411 respondents. The predominant reported reasons for non-use of seat belts were No/faulty seat belt, forgetfulness and laxity in the enforcement of the seat belt law. It is recommended that, the National Road Safety Commission should collaborate with the key stakeholder institutions to ensure free, but mandatory retrofitting of seat belts in vehicles that are unequipped with one, alongside the rolling out of a strict enforcement regime for seat belt compliance.

Index Terms—The Kumasi is one of the most endemic areas for road traffic fatalities involving vehicle occupants, in spite of efforts at encouraging vehicle occupants to belt-up. In order to mitigate the situation, it has been advocated that more vehicle occupants be encouraged to belt-up, unfortunately, usage rate is low. This study was therefore undertaken to ascertain reasons for non-compliance. An attitudinal survey was carried out at bus terminals, taxi ranks, and parking lots. The data analysis was done using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and SPSS. In all, there were a total of 411 respondents. The predominant reported reasons for non-use of seat belts were No/faulty seat belt, forgetfulness and laxity in the enforcement of the seat belt law. It is recommended that, the National Road Safety Commission should collaborate with the key stakeholder institutions to ensure free, but mandatory retrofitting of seat belts in vehicles that are unequipped with one, alongside the rolling out of a strict enforcement regime for seat belt compliance.

Cite: Solomon Ntow Densu and Mohammed Salifu, "Attitudes towards Seatbelts Use in Kumasi, Ghana," International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 82-94, February 2013.