EFFECTS OF A SELECTIVE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM ON SEAT BELT USAGE

A study was conducted to assess the effect of a Selective Traffic Enforcement Program on seat belt usage. The program consisted of increased enforcement of the seat belt legislation and publication of this enforcement. It was predicted that during the program, there would be increases in seat belt usage and subjective probability of being apprehended in the experimental city, whereas there would be no changes in these variables in the control city. Seat belt usage (N equals 23,910) and telephone (N equals 1,738) surveys were conducted before, during, 1 month after, and 6 months after the program in both cities. In the experimental city observed belt usage increased from 58% to 80% during the program, dropping to 70% 6 months after the program. Reported belt use and subjective probability also increased during the program. In the control city an increase in subjective probability was observed, but there was no increase in belt usage noted. The role of subjective probability as a mediator of the effect of enforcement on driver behavior is discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00219010
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Requests for reprints should be sent to Brian A. Jones, Road Safety Branch, Transport Canada.
• Corporate Authors:

  American Psychological Association

  750 First Street, NE
  Washington, DC  United States  20002-4242
• Authors:
  • Jonah, B A
  • Dawson, N E
  • Smith, Gary A
• Publication Date: 1982-2

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 89-96
• Serial:
  • Journal of Applied Psychology
  • Volume: 67
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: American Psychological Association
  • ISSN: 0021-9010

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Laws; Manual safety belts; Measures of effectiveness; Publicity; Surveys; Traffic law enforcement; Utilization
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00367913
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-033 204
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 30 1982 12:00AM