EVALUATION OF CALIFORNIA'S SAFETY BELT LAW CHANGE TO PRIMARY ENFORCEMENT. FINAL REPORT

Some states allow an officer to stop a vehicle for an observed belt law violation alone (primary). Most require that the initial stop be made for some other violation before a belt law citation can be issued (secondary). On January 1, 1993, California became the first state to implement an uninterrupted change from secondary to primary belt law enforcement. In the six study communities, the percentage of drivers observed wearing seat belts increased from 58% prior to the law change to 76% soon thereafter. Drivers surveyed at DMV offices indicated that they had knowledge of the new law and were more likely to wear their belts now than in the past. Police officers participating in focus groups indicated that they were pleased with the change to primary enforcement and had received no negative public reaction.

• Corporate Authors:

  Preusser Research Group, Incorporated

  7100 Main Street
  Trumbull, CT  United States  06611

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Ulmer, R G
  • PREUSSER, C W
  • Preusser, D F
• Publication Date: 1994-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 76 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Law enforcement; Laws; Manual safety belts; Measures of effectiveness; Seat belt use; Seat belts; State laws
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00675219
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-808 205
• Contract Numbers: DTNH22-92-D-05270
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 7 1995 12:00AM