RESTRAINT USE BY VEHICLE OCCUPANTS IN WA ROAD CRASHES ATTENDED BY POLICE

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the seatbelt wearing of vehicle occupants killed and injured in Western Australian motor vehicle crashes in 1989, which were attended by police. The results of an analysis of seriously injured motor vehicle drivers in police attended crashes in 1989 showed: 1) Young drivers, particularly in the 17-21, and 22-26 year old age groups, were over-represented in serious injuries. 2) Serious injuries to younger male drivers were significantly higher than for female drivers of the same age. 3) The rate of serious injury per 1,000,000 kms travelled was higher for female 17, 18, 20 and 22 year old drivers than for male drivers of the same age. Similar rates were found for male and female middle age drivers. The rate for female drivers was higher after age 60 than for male drivers of the same age. These differences could not be tested for statistical significance. 4) The seatbelt wearing rate for seriously injured male drivers (83.7%) was lower than for female drivers (93.2%). This difference was statistically significant. 5) Seatbelt wearing rates for seriously injured drivers were lowest for the male 27-31 year old age group (68.4% wearing rate). The results of an analysis of seriously injured motor vehicle passengers in police attended crashes in 1989 showed: 1) Young passengers, particularly in the 12-16, 17-21, and 22-26 year old age groups were over-represented in serious injuries. 2) Serious injuries to younger male passengers were significantly higher than for female passengers of the same age. 3) Male passengers showed a higher rate of serious injury per 1,000,000 kms travelled than female passengers across most age categories. These differences could not be tested for statistical significance. 4) The seatbelt wearing rate for seriously injured male passengers (64.2%) was lower than female passengers (83.2%). This difference was statistically significant. 5) Seatbelt wearing rates for seriously injured passengers were lowest for the male 17-21 year old age group (58.5% wearing rate). (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Western Australia Police Department

  Research and Statistics Section, 22 Mount Street
  Perth, Western Australia,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • BATINI, C
  • MAISEY, G
• Publication Date: 1990-8

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 21 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age; Crashes; Drivers; Fatalities; Gender; Injuries; Manual safety belts; Passengers; Police; Statistics; Utilization
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver age
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 1757: Age; 8006: Australia; 9001: Behaviour; 1772: Driver; 1602: Fatality; 2163: Injury; 1787: Man; 1466: Passive safety system; 1522: Police; 1755: Road user; 1623: Severity (accid, injury); 1715: Vehicle occupant; 1788: Woman
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Passenger Transportation; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00620364
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 31 1992 12:00AM