Year: 2003
Type: report
Abstract: A direct observation survey of safety belt use in Michigan was conducted.In this study, 12,690 occupants traveling in four vehicle types (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, vanslminivans, and pickup trucks) were surveyed between December 2 and 16, 2002.Belt use was estimated for all commercial/noncommercial vehicle types combined (the statewide safety belt use rate) and separately for each vehicle type.Within and across each vehicle type, belt use rates by age, sex, road type, day of week, time of day, and seating position were calculated.Statewide belt use was 80.5 percent.When compared with the rate observed in September, 2002, the current rate shows that safety belt use in Michigan has remained about the same.A comparison with the highest rate observed before the introduction of standard enforcement shows that the current rate reflects a 10.4 percentage point increase.Belt use was 82.5 percent for passenger cars, 82.6 percent for sport-utility vehicles, 80.8 percent for vanslminivans, and 72.3 percent for pickup trucks.For all vehicle types combined, belt use was higher for females than for males, and higher for drivers than for passengers.In general, belt use was highest during the morning rush hour.Belt use did not vary systematically by day of week.Belt use was lowest among 16-to-29 year olds, followed closely by those in the 30-to-59 year old age group, and highest among the 60-and-older age group.Survey results suggest that the implementation of standard enforcement safety belt use laws and the accompanying enforcement and public information and education efforts have been effective in increasing and maintaining safety belt use in Michigan. Key WordsMotor vehicle occupant restraint use, safety belt use, child seat use, seat belt survey, direct observation survey, occupant protection, standard enforcement 18. Distribution
Authors: Jonathon M. Vivoda, David W. Eby
Language: English
Topic: Traffic and Road Safety
Subfield: Safety, Risk, Reliability and Quality
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1546952587