SEAT-BELT LAWS: TRAPS TO AVOID IN EVALUATION STUDIES

This article discusses several statistical issues that need to be considered in analyzing benefits of traffic safety interventions such as mandatory seat belt laws. The article is intended for persons without a strong statistical background, so it uses a minimum of technical terminology. Nevertheless, the issues addressed are important, and persons responsible for evaluating the effects of a belt use law must be careful to use statistical techniques properly. Matters that must be considered are discussed under four headings: (1) Determining whether a relationship (between the law and the outcome) really exists; (2) Determining whether that relationship is causal; (3) Choosing a valid measure of the outcome; and (4) Determining whether findings are applicable to other settings and time periods.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/9187496
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150
• Authors:
  • O'Day, J
  • Sivak, M
  • Wagenaar, A C
  • Haney, J E
• Publication Date: 1985-7

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 8 p.
• Serial:
  • UMTRI Research Review
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
  • ISSN: 0739-7100

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Evaluation; Laws; Manual safety belts; Statistical analysis
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00453195
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 362
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 28 1986 12:00AM