SAFETY BELT INTERLOCK SYSTEM USAGE SURVEY

The research measures the effectiveness of various systems to increase safety belt usage. The objectives are: (1) To determine if the 1975 warning system issued in response to P.L. 93-492 is effective in increasing usage; (2) to ascertain drivers' reactions to this and other systems on 1975 model cars; and (3) to continue to monitor safety belt usage in the general traffic population. Results show that the 1975 warning system is not very effective. Most effective is a system that includes (1) a reminder light that goes on and stays on until the belt is fastened, and (2) a sequential logic circuit that requires to first be seated and second to buckle the belt. Drivers' attitudes toward the use of safety belts, and perceived comfort of both the lap belt and shoulder harness are also key factors which are correlated with usage.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • See also PB-242 464.
• Corporate Authors:

  Opinion Research Corporation

  North Harrison Street
  Princeton, NJ  United States  08540

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  Office of Driver Performance Research, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Westefeld, A
  • Phillips, B M
• Publication Date: 1976-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 72 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Attitudes; Automobiles; Comfort; Drivers; Equipment; Laws; Logic circuits; Manual safety belts; Passenger comfort; Reaction time; Shoulder harnesses; Utilization; Warning systems
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver reaction
• Old TRIS Terms: Interlocking; Shoulder harness
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00143973
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: 51274 Final Rpt., DOT-HS-801-957
• Contract Numbers: DOT-HS-5-01039
• Files: NTIS, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 15 1977 12:00AM