THE ROAD CHECKLIST--A PERIODICAL INQUIRY REGARDING TRAFFIC

The purpose of the inquiry regarding traffic is to gather qualitative and quantitative information as to the behavior of the drivers, so as to relate them to the characteristics of those involved in deaths and bodily injuries and thus to appraise the criteria of expose to the risk. We illustrate this method of comparison by assessment of the effectiveness of safety seat belts. It is found that in 1972, in the absence of a regulation requiring use of the belt and of any general speed limit, the risk of being involved in a death or bodily injury was greater if the person used his seat belt than if he did not; but that since use of the belt has been made mandatory, the risk has been reduced by nearly two-thirds. This relative risk is now approximately 0.6. This is attributable to the fact that use of a seat belt is reflected in an initial phase (optional use), from the behavioral standpoint, in an assumption of risk which may exceed the norm, and is reflected in a second phase (mandatory use) in a conversion of involvement in death or bodily injury into involvement in property damage; as these two factors have contrary effects, it is normal to observe such a variation in the rate of risk over two years.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of the Fifth International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicle.
• Corporate Authors:

  National Safety Council, Safety Research Info Serv

  425 North Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60611
• Authors:
  • Bluet, J C
• Conference:
  • Proceedings of the Fifth International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicle.
• Publication Date: 1974-6

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 414-420

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Crash exposure; Drivers; Fatalities; Highway safety; Injuries; Loss and damage; Manual safety belts; Property
• Uncontrolled Terms: Property damage
• Old TRIS Terms: Inquiry
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00133525
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 23 1976 12:00AM