Evaluating the Effectiveness of Winter Safety Interventions for Motorized Two-Wheeler (MTW) Users: A Case Study of Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab, India

Abstract: Winter months present significant safety challenges for Motorized Two-Wheeler (MTW) users in India due to environmental risks such as fog, poor visibility, extreme cold, and slippery road surfaces. This study investigates the adoption and effectiveness of safety interventions among MTW users in Mandi Gobindgarh, Punjab. A structured survey (N = 280 riders), incorporating adapted items from the Motorcycle Rider Behaviour Questionnaire (MRBQ), particularly focusing on Protective Behaviours, was used. Supplementary interviews with traffic officers and observational studies were conducted to assess systemlevel perspectives. The study is guided by Risk Compensation Theory (RCT), the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and the Safe System Approach (SSA), offering a holistic view of both individual behaviour and systemic shortcomings. Findings reveal low adoption of key winter safety measures, including only 22.1% helmet usage and 7.1% of riders conducting battery checks. Stakeholders emphasized that enhancing safety awareness, visibility-enhancing gear, fog light usage, and route planning were critical. Despite widespread recognition of these interventions, adoption remains limited due to cultural beliefs (such as turban use in place of helmets), cost, awareness gaps, and infrastructure constraints. The study recommends targeted education, accessible safety gear, and seasonal campaigns to promote winter preparedness among MTW riders.