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A REVIEW OF THREE STUDIES ATTEMPTING TO RELATE REPORTED SEAT BELT USAGE TO SEAT BELT ATTITUDES AND OTHER VARIABLES

A review of three studies found reported seat belt usage to be associated with presence of a warning system, good seat belt design, higher education and occupational status, ownership of late model cars, attendance at driving school, and tendency to derive information about seat belts from driving schools and from newspapers. An economic explanation encompassing all variables is to the effect that the less well educated driver, having a lower occupational status and therefore less income, owns an older car equipped with an uncomfortable seat belt; at the same time he is less inclined to expose himself to or to absorb accurate seat belt information. Additional evidence, suggesting that the user is safety and risk conscious while the nonuser reports discomfort and non-effectiveness, supports the above interpretation. Habit, strongly implicated as an important factor with respect to both usage and nonusage, is seen by the reviewer as post- decisional and, therefore, relevant to maintaining, rather than to bringing about, the desired behavior change. The data on seat belt legislation suggest that most individuals are favorable towards compuslory seat belt usage and that, of those who are not habitually wearing belts now, most would increase usage under a law. Oppositon is estimated at only about 14% to 15%. /Author/

  • Corporate Authors:

    Transport Canada

    Road and Motor Vehicle Traffic Safety Branch
    Ottawa, ONo K1A 0N5,   Canada 
  • Authors:
    • HERON, R M
  • Publication Date: 1975-10

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References;
  • Pagination: 38 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00141029
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Safety Council Safety Research Info Serv
  • Report/Paper Numbers: CR 7503
  • Files: TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Oct 6 1976 12:00AM