NEW YORK'S MANDATORY SEAT-BELT LAW MAY START A TREND, AS STATE LEGISLATURES TRY TO LOWER--THE BODY COUNT ON THE HIGHWAY

The article discusses three initiatives to reduce the toll from car crashes: mandatory seat belt laws; air bags; and crackdowns against drunk drivers. The success or otherwise of seat belt laws in other countries are reviewed. Seat belt laws have increased belt usage rates in all countries. The key factor influencing success is enforcement. The protection offered by air bags is discussed. Air bags offer good protection in a frontal crash. However, they must be replaced after they deploy. Standard and optional air bag systems developed by car companies are discussed. Spurred by the potential loss of federal highway funds and by citizens groups, state legislatures are acting with proposals to deal with drunk driving. The North Dakota experience (drunk driving law went into effect in July 1983) is described. Other programs to control drunk driving are also discussed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1564931
• Corporate Authors:

  Consumers Union of United States, Incorporated

  256 Washington Street
  Mount Vernon, NY  United States  10550
• Publication Date: 1984-11

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 663-666
• Serial:
  • Consumer Reports
  • Volume: 49
  • Issue Number: 11
  • Publisher: Consumers Union of U.S., Incorporated
  • ISSN: 0010-7174
  • Serial URL: http://www.consumerreports.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air bags; Countermeasures; Drunk driving; Fatalities; Laws; Manual safety belts; Safety; Traffic law enforcement; Traffic safety
• Subject Areas: Law; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00395475
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-037 999
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 30 1985 12:00AM