The Status of Road Safety in Iran during 2001 - 2006

In developing countries، promotion of road safety is of crucial importance. This paper presents the status of road safety in Iran during 2001 - 2006. The status of road safety in Iran was surveyed in this descriptive study using road safety indicators a in macro level. Firstly، 46 indicators were identified after studying almost all indicators related to the road safety. After consulting of views with road safety experts and considering the reliable existing data، 11 indicators were selected to study the safety status of the roads. Then، all essential data for determining each indicators were collected from related organizations and institutes. All indicators were determined and evaluated in the last step. The results revealed that during the period of 6 years، death toll has been increased by 9 deaths per 100000 person of the population. Moreover، application of seat belt and safety helmet has been increased by 20% and 18%، respectively. It also indicated that the number of motorists and the length of paved roads have been increased by 20%، and 10%، respectively. The net income per capita has also grown from 5884 US$ to 7968 US$ and the life expectancy has gone up from 68. 9 years to 70. 9 years، the percentage of the literate population has grown by 2% (from 76% to 78%) and the human development index has increased from 0. 721 to 0. 759. The results of the present study showed that the increased level of death toll per 10000 vehicles and the increased level (%) of seat belt as well as helmet application، paved roads، urbanization، the net income per capita، life expectancy، literacy and human development index were statistically significant and R2 coefficient for this factors was 0. 84، 0. 9، 0. 994، 0. 9، 0. 97، 0. 82، 0. 69 and 0. 84 respectively. According to result of the present study، roads safety were not in an appropriate level. The roads safety status can be determined using road safety indicators to be applied for road safety promotion.