Malaysian Journal of Ergonomics Special Issue, December 2011 30 Prevalence of Helmet Use among Child Pillion Riders on Route to School P. Noor Faradila 1 , M.I. Mohd Hafzi 1 , S. Mohd Syazwan 1 , A. Aqbal Hafeez 1 , R. Khairudin 1 , M.J. Zulhaidi 1 , A.K. Khairil Anwar 1 and H. Azhar 1 1 Vehicle Safety and Biomechanics Centre, Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia Email: noorfaradila@miros.gov.my Abstract Cross-sectional observation surveys of helmet use among 6- to 12-year-old child pillion riders were made at 17 different speed-restricted school safety zones. Results: A total of 712 riders and 915 pupils were captured in the videos representing 10% of the whole selected schools populations go/back to/from school by motorcycle. Helmet wearing rate among motorcycle riders is 66.8% while for pillion is 14.7%. The riders were 11.7 times as likely to wear helmet compared to pillion riders. Helmet use rates among male (75.46%) and female riders (52.45%) had statistically significant difference where male riders were 2.7 times more prone to wear helmet (χ2= 35.98, p<0.001). Helmet use rates of 16.3% and 13.2% were observed for male and female pillion riders, respectively, but the difference observed was not statistically significant (p=0.191). It was observed that 65.83% of female riders and 59% of male riders carrying more than one pillion passenger. It was found that 497 (70.8%) had one pillion rider, 183 (26.1%) had two pillion riders, and 20 (2.8%) carried more than three pillion riders on a motorcycle. In addition, 7% of the riders allowed their kids to be seated in front of them while riding. This behavior is hazardous as the front pillion has tendency to distract the rider or worst, to be pinned between motorcycle handle and the rider during the event of a crash. In addition, the front pillion passengers are always being the last to be equipped by safety helmets as more than 90% of them ride the motorcycle without wearing safety helmets. Conclusions: Helmet use by motorcyclists on the route to school is generally low. There is a need for public awareness campaigns on the safety benefits of helmets to increase its prevalence. Public awareness on helmet wearing must be accompanied by sustained enforcement of the road traffic police to ensure compliance and change in attitude. Keywords: motorcycle helmet, motorcyclist, rider, child pillion rider, observational survey 1. Introduction Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death and disabilities among children [1,2]. This is due to the potential vulnerability of young pillion passengers and the possibility of injuries caused by accidents. In 2008, road accidents in Malaysia have killed 410 lives of children aged between one and 15 years and another 2,797 children suffered serious and light injuries. In 2005 – 2007 motorcycle accidents data recorded as high as 25% of children below 16 years old rode as pillion passengers involved in road crashes [3].