Citation

Nishi A, Singkham P, Takasaki Y, Ichikawa M, Chadbunchachai W, Shibuya K, Tanasugarn C. Bull. World Health Organ. 2018; 96(8): 514-514A.

Affiliation

Department of Health Education and Behavioral Sciences, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, World Health Organization)

DOI

10.2471/BLT.18.215509

PMID

30104787

PMCID

PMC6083397

Abstract

Thailand faces road safety challenges. The country has a high rate of road traffic deaths, with 36.2 deaths per 100 000 population per year accord- ing to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate in 2012, which is the highest road death rate in South-East Asia. Reflecting the Sustainable Devel- opment Goal 3.6 of halving the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic crashes by 2020, the national action plan Decade for action for road safety (2011–2020) aims to reduce the road traffic death rate to less than 10 deaths per 100 000 population per year by 2020. However, achieving this goal seems challenging in Thailand, because the issues that need to be addressed are multilayered and relate to individual, social and environmental factors.

Increasing motorcycle helmet use in Thailand could help achieve this injury reduction target, since motorcycles are the most popular private transportation vehicle for most households, especially in remote areas where there is no of- ficial public transportation system. Motorcycle drivers and/or passengers account for 73% of road traffic deaths,1 compared with 15% in the United States of America. Reducing traffic deaths of motorcycle users, who are vulnerable road users, is a top priority for the Thai government.

Motorcycle helmet use saves lives. A review shows that the adequate use of a certified helmet on roads can decrease the mortality risk by 40% and the risk of head injury by 70%. In Thailand, a universal motorcycle helmet use law (for drivers since 1996 and for passen- gers since 2007) has led to a substantial increase in the proportion of motorcycle helmet use, from 5% in 1994 to 23% in 1997. However, the pace of further ...

Language: en