BELT USE IN SERIOUS IMPACTS ESTIMATED FROM FATALIGY DATA. NHTSA TECHNICAL REPORT

Drivers in fatal crashes were less frequently reported (by the police) to have been using their safety belts if the driver was reported to have been exceeding the speed limit, to have been drinking, or to have had previous crashes. Reported belt use was also lower among male drivers, in older cars, and at night. To test the effects of these differences between belt users and nonusers, belt effectiveness was estimated with statistical adjustments for crash speed, driver age, and alcohol use. The analysis confirms the agency's estimate that wearing a belt reduces the occupant's risk of fatality and serious injury by 40 to 55 percent. State belt use laws, education programs, and enforcement activities that increase belt use in crashes will reduce fatality and injury rates. However, drivers who are most likely to be involved in a serious crash (those who drink before driving or drive too fast) are also those who are least likely to use belts.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Center for Statistics and Analysis

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • PARTYKA, S C
• Publication Date: 1989-12

Media Info

• Pagination: 50 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol use; Crash injury research; Crashes; Drunk driving; Impact studies; Laws; Manual safety belts; Research; Safety; Safety education; Safety programs; Speeding; User benefits
• Uncontrolled Terms: Enforcement
• Old TRIS Terms: User characteristics
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Highways; Law; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00497085
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-807 519
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1991 12:00AM