SEAT BELTS--A GOOD IDEA BUT THEY ARE TOO MUCH BOTHER--AN ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTITUDES TOWARD SEAT BELTS AND REPORTED SEAT BELT USE

The goals of this study were to determine the relationship between attitudes toward seat belts and reported seat belt use, with the object of determining if the individuals perception of others' reactions to the user or of the likelihood of being involved in an accident increased the correspondence between attitudes and behavior. The study reached the general conclusions that attitudes account for about 38 percent of the variance in seat belt use. An increase of 10 percent occurs when the likelihood of an accident is taken into account; no change occurs when others' evaluations of the user is considered or when demographic factors are taken into account. It was determined that the most likely factors to influence seat belt users are the design of the seat belt system and the presence of warning and convenience systems. The survey indicates that more emphasis should be placed upon the development of a more convenient seat belt system; with respect to this the study recommends the Volvo system with its inertia reel, fixed center receptacle, and connected retractable lap and shoulder belts. In addition, Volkswagens recently announced passive restraint shoulder belt system may also prove effective. The numerous appendices consist of the various surveys which were taken in order to establish a relationship between seat belt use and the various factors (e.g. attitudes, likelihood of accident, demography, make of car, presence of buzzer warning system, compulsory use law, occupational status, etc.). The study concludes with a copy of the actual survey questions and bibliographical reference to literature in the field of social psychology (i.e. relating attitude to behavior).

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared for the Ministry of Transportation and Communication, Road and Traffic Safety Division, Canada.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Toronto

  Department of Psychiatry
  Toronto, Ontario  Canada 
• Authors:
  • Bragg, BWE
• Publication Date: 1973-12

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Tables;
• Pagination: 100 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Consumer behavior; Manual safety belts; Passive restraint systems; Telephone influence factors; Warning systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Convenience
• Old TRIS Terms: Influence factors; User reactions
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00072284
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Systems Center
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 16 1977 12:00AM