Why Do Some Motorbike Riders Wear a Helmet and Others Don't? Evidence from Delhi, India

Michael Grimm and Carole Treibich ()

No 8042, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: We focus on helmet use behavior among motorbike users in Delhi. We use a detailed data set collected for the purpose of the study. To guide our empirical analysis, we rely on a simple model in which drivers decide on self-protection and self-insurance. The empirical findings suggest that risk averse drivers are more likely to wear a helmet, there is no systematic effect on speed. Helmet use also increases with education. Drivers who show a higher awareness of road risks are both more likely to wear a helmet and to speed less. Controlling for risk awareness, we observe that drivers tend to compensate between speed and helmet use. The results can provide a basis for awareness-raising policies. Improvements to the road infrastructure bear the risk of leading to risk-compensating behavior.

Keywords: India; self-insurance; road safety; helmet use; risky health behavior; self-protection; risk-taking behavior (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D10 I10 I15 K42 R41 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 48 pages
Date: 2014-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea, nep-ias and nep-tre
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Published - published in: Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 2016, 88, 318-336.

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Related works:
Journal Article: Why do some motorbike riders wear a helmet and others don’t? Evidence from Delhi, India (2016)
Working Paper: Why do some motorbike riders wear a helmet and others don’t? Evidence from Delhi, India (2016)
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