Predictors of Right-Front Passenger Seat Belt Use by Gender: An Evaluation from North Carolina

Research indicates females wear seat belts at a higher rate than males. However, this only applies to driver seat belt use. This paper focuses on the right-front passenger seating position and assesses the seat belt wearing rate for all passengers and for females. The data are from the North Carolina Seat Belt (NCSB) survey from 2011 to 2016. This is observational seat belt data collected at a random sample of intersections in accordance with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines. This research shows that seat belt rates are significantly lower for female passengers compared to male passengers in North Carolina. Predictors of passenger seat belt use differ by gender and include key main effects such as driver seat belt use, time of day, and vehicle type. Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data from North Carolina were evaluated to see if the observational and crash findings were related. Based on these findings, the paper discusses possible reasons why female passengers have lower seat belt usage rates, including pregnancy status, obesity, and distraction by rear-seat occupants. Research showing increased severity of injuries in this seating position and on obese or female passengers makes the lower rate of belt use a health concern. This paper concludes with a discussion on the directions to improve compliance.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANB45 Standing Committee on Occupant Protection.
• Authors:
  • Bland, Cynthia
  • Ewing, Glynis
  • Campbell, Larry N
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2018-1-7 to 2018-1-11
• Date: 2018

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 16p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Anthropometry; Biometrics; Gender; Injury severity; Passengers; Seat belt use
• Geographic Terms: North Carolina
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01664101
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 18-05014
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 23 2018 10:32AM