THE RELATIONSHIP OF SEAT BELT LAW ENFORCEMENT TO LEVEL OF BELT USE

This paper examines the relationship between level of enforcement activity and level of belt use in jurisdictions having belt use laws as of January, 1987. Three groups of states are considered: (1) states with primary enforcement policies; (2) states with secondary enforcement policies; (3) states that enforce laws by issuing warning tickets only. A questionnaire survey was made of the highway patrol or police in belt law states, and a second survey was sent to Governor's Highway Safety Representatives in belt law states. The results of the surveys are presented. It was found that the population-weighted belt use averages about 45% in belt law states. Belt usage is higher in primary enforcement states, and lower where a secondary enforcement prevails. Regardless of the enforcement status, belt usage is low when the enforcement level is low.

  • Corporate Authors:

    University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

    Highway Safety Research Center
    Chapel Hill, NC  United States  27599
  • Authors:
    • Campbell, B J
  • Publication Date: 1987-6

Media Info

  • Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 10 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00474639
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: HSRC-TR72, HS-040 279
  • Files: HSL, TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: Oct 31 1990 12:00AM