INCREASING SEAT BELT USE IN NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina recently initiated an ambitious multiyear program designed to increase seat belt and child restraint use and to reduce other traffic law violations, including alcohol-impaired driving. Increasing seat belt use via a combination of intensive enforcement and publicity about the enforcement was emphasized in the first phase. The program called "Click It or Ticket," was implemented in October and November 1993 and was followed soon after with a second enforcement blitz in July 1994. Data indicate that driver belt use increased from 64 percent before the program to 80 percent in November 1993, dropped to 73 percent by May 1994, and then rose slightly higher to 81 percent in August 1994. Using time-series analyses, estimates of 45 more fatalities and 320 additional serious injuries would have occurred during the 6 months following the program than were actually observed. A cost model of medical care and emergency services was used to calculate the savings associated with the injury reductions, which translated into a $7 million medical care and emergency savings. To gauge public knowledge and opinion, several random digit telephone surveys were conducted following the two program blitzes. At least 75 percent of the respondents were aware of the program and more than 85 percent of the total sample had a favorable impression of such programs.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1800052
• Corporate Authors:

  Elsevier Science, Incorporated

  660 White Plains Road
  Tarrytown, NY  United States  10591-5153
• Authors:
  • Williams, A F
  • Reinfurt, D
  • Wells, J K
• Publication Date: 1996

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 33-41
• Serial:
  • Journal of Safety Research
  • Volume: 27
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 0022-4375
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/00224375

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Child restraint systems; Cost control; Costs; Law enforcement; Public opinion; Publicity; Safety programs; Seat belt use; Seat belts; Traffic violations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Cost models; Cost savings
• Geographic Terms: North Carolina
• Subject Areas: Finance; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Society; I81: Accident Statistics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00719303
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-042 069
• Files: HSL, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 20 1996 12:00AM