Determinants of Bus Seat Belt Usage Behavior: A Qualitative Study

Seat belt use is one of the most effective behaviors for saving lives and reducing injuries in bus accidents. This behavior among Iranian bus passengers has not received enough attention. The aim of this study was to discover the determinants of the use and lack of use of bus seat belts in a sample of bus drivers and passengers, traffic police, and related experts. In this qualitative study, data were gathered through 60 semi-constructed interviews. A data analysis was conducted using the inductive content analysis method. A purposive and non-probability sampling approach was employed to recruit participants. After the data analysis, 493 primary codes were extracted, and multiple revisions and merging of these codes based on similarity were carried out. Two categories were identified as determinants of bus seat belt usage behavior. The results of this study provide a comprehensive view of the determinants of bus seat belt usage behavior in Iran and suggest the necessity of interventions in bus passengers’ attitudes and perceptions and more attention to environmental issues, such as the appropriate availability of bus seat belts.