GRASS-ROOTS PRESSURE CAN MAKE RESTRAINTS MANDATORY

In the last few years, grass-roots pressure across the nation got tough laws passed requiring child restraints in automobiles. The same kind of grass-roots pressure has resulted in more effective drunk driving laws and enforcement. These laws will go a long way toward making driving safer, but they are only part of the solution. The most effective step we could take to save lives on our streets and highways is to require people to use the seat belts that are already in their cars. While other alternatives include air bags and passive belts, to date, the most effective device ever developed for saving lives and preventing injuries in an automobile is the lap and shoulder safety belt. Safety belts are not just a proven solution to the safety problem, they are a solution that is available right now. The problem is that seat belts can save lives and prevent injuries only when they are used. The best way to solve this problem is to pass laws to make seat belt use mandatory and to fine people who refuse to comply.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Safety Council

  444 North Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60611
• Authors:
  • Iacocca, L A
• Publication Date: 1985-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 2 p.
• Serial:
  • National Safety News
  • Volume: 131
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: National Safety Council

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air bags; Alternatives analysis; Compliance; Injuries; Manual safety belts; Measures of effectiveness; Passive restraint systems; Public opinion
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness; Mandatory
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00399360
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-038 340
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1985 12:00AM