Barriers to the enforcement of motorcycle helmet laws: Insights from police and legislators
نویسندگان
1 Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
2 Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
3 Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
4 Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
5 Department of Educational Sciences, Farhangian University, P.O. Box. 14665-889, Tehran, Iran
6 Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
7 Guilan Road Trauma Research Center, Trauma Institute, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
doi
10.48307/atr.2025.512897.1213چکیده
Background: Many motorcyclists choose not to wear helmets, yet it remains unclear why they are not being fined by police or other authorities.Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore legislators’ perspectives on the factors contributing to the lack of enforcement of motorcycle helmet laws by police and legislative bodies.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in northern Iran and employed a conventional content analysis with an inductive approach. Participants were recruited through snowball sampling. The research took place from 2019 to 2020, with interview locations chosen based on participants’ preferences, including both private and public settings. Data collection was guided by a semi-structured interview framework. Data analysis was carried out using the methodology developed by Graneheim and Lundman (2004).Results: Based on the experiences of 20 participants, three main categories and twenty subcategories were identified. The primary reasons cited by legislators for the non-enforcement of motorcycle helmet laws included legislators’ own needs, challenges in accessing offenders, and poor management.Conclusion: The findings suggest that addressing legislators’ needs, improving access to motorcyclist offenders, and enhancing offender identification could help overcome enforcement challenges. Furthermore, implementing a stronger management system and more robust policies may improve the enforcement of helmet laws.
