Implement of seatbelt wearing circular and seatbelt wearing observation in Putrajaya

Najwa Shaari

Abstract

Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia, has issued a circular letter in December 2020 to inform government servant about the implementation of seatbelt campaign while using a government vehicle especially higher government officer. The objective of this study is to observe seatbelt wearing circular towards seatbelt wearing rate among government servants in Putrajaya; and identifying ministry’s action towards seatbelt wearing circular. This study was conducted through quantitative design using observation and survey approach. Roadside observations were done in two phases which was before the distribution and after the distribution of the circular. The observations were conducted at five randomly selected locations in Putrajaya, Malaysia to observe vehicle occupants. Surveys were done with selected ministries in Putrajaya to identify the ministries action towards the implementation of the circular. Overall, seatbelt wearing rates for all passengers increases from pre-observation compared to post observation. The increase in wearing rate was statistically significant as indicated by the Odd Ratio value (95% CI) of 11.39 (8.30,15.63) for driver, 1.82 (1.45, 2.28) for front passenger, and 2.74 (1.85, 4.07) for rear passenger. Results from the surveys with the ministries staffs indicated that the circular had been distributed to all officers and planning to have training in the future to give awareness to all government servants in the ministry. The implementation of this circular along with continuous advocacy are among the important efforts that need to be implemented to increase the use of seatbelts among government servants.

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