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Behaviour of motorcyclists and bicyclists before and after a road safety campaign, China
Peishan Ning1, Ruisha Peng1, Huiying Zong2
1Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, 172 Tongzipo Road, Changsha, 410013, China.
Objective:
To examine changes in red-light running and distracted riding among motorcyclists and cyclists before and after the 2020 implementation of the One Helmet, One Seatbelt campaign in China.
Methods:
We obtained 192 hours of film before (2019) and after (2021) implementation of the campaign in eight road intersections in Changsha. We calculated percentages and ratios of red-light running and distracted riding. To assess the associations between these traffic behaviours and the campaign, we used multivariable logistic regression models to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aOR).
Findings:
We filmed 5256 motorcyclists and cyclists in 2019 and 6269 in 2021. Red-light running decreased from 45.1% to 41.5% during this period (ratio: 0.92; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.88-0.96), while distracted riding increased from 3.5% to 5.0% (ratio: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.19-1.69). After adjusting for covariates, male riders were more likely to run a red light compared to female riders (aOR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.06-1.55). Red-light running was also more likely among electric bicycle riders (aOR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.10-1.95) and motorcyclists (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.13-1.90) compared to traditional cyclists. All types of riders were less prone to run a red light during peak hours than off-peak hours (aOR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.73-0.99). Distracted riding was more common on weekends compared to weekdays (aOR: 3.01; 95% CI: 2.02-4.49).
Conclusion:
China's national road safety campaign, which focuses on helmet and seatbelt use, was associated with reduced red-light running. Strict enforcement and targeted modifications could improve the campaign's effectiveness.
