RESTRAINT SYSTEM USAGE IN THE TRAFFIC POPULATION: I. SAFETY BELT USAGE AMONG DRIVERS, II. USE OF CHILD RESTRAINT DEVICES, PASSENGER SAFETY BELTS, ETC., III. MOTORCYCLE HELMET USAGE

This report presents findings from six observation studies conducted for NHTSA. Safety Belt Usage Among Drivers: The purpose of this study was to continue to monitor the use or non-use of safety belts by drivers in 19 U.S. cities. A total of 54,539 observations, collected during November 1980-October 1982, form the basis of this report. The study shows an increased use of safety belts by drivers. During 1979, the average usage rate was 10.9%. This compares with an average usage rate of 11.3% in 1982. Use of Child Restraint Devices, Passenger Safety Belts and Position of Passengers in Cars: The main objectives were to assess the use of restraint devices for infants and small children, to monitor belt usage by sub-teen, teen and adult passengers, and to determine the extent of any "out of position seating" problem for all unrestrained passengers. Findings are based on a total of 106,365 observations collected in 19 U.S. cities during November 1980-October 1982. Use of restraint devices for infants and toddlers were: 40.4% for infants and 19.4% for toddlers. The percent of other passengers wearing a safety belt were: toddlers (2.8%), sub-teens (4.7%), teens (3.1%) and adults (7.4%). Motorcycle Helmet Usage: The main purpose was to ascertain the use of helmets by drivers and passengers of motorcycles in 19 U.S. cities. Findings are based on 51,905 observations collected from November 1980-October 1982. In cities with helmet laws, 92.9% of drivers and 91.9% of passengers used helmets. In cities with no or only limited laws, only 42.9% of drivers and 30.3% of passengers used helmets. Also reported are restraint usage studies conducted in the first ten National Accident Sampling System areas and special studies conducted in California and Michigan.

• Corporate Authors:

  Opinion Research Corporation

  North Harrison Street
  Princeton, NJ  United States  08540

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  Office of Research and Development, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Phillips, B M
• Publication Date: 1983-5

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Tables;
• Pagination: 142 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Child restraint systems; Drivers; Helmets; Location; Manual safety belts; Passengers; Position fixing; Utilization
• Subject Areas: Highways; Passenger Transportation; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00380580
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: 51646 Final Rpt., HS-806 424
• Contract Numbers: DTNH-22-80-C-07283
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jan 30 1984 12:00AM