Seat Belts: Effectiveness of Mandatory Use Requirements

Document Number: 840329

Date Published: February 1984

Author(s):
Roger L. McCarthy - Failure Analysis Associates
Robert K. Taylor - Failure Analysis Associates
Sally B. Sanford - Failure Analysis Associates
Robert C. Lange - Failure Analysis Associates

Abstract:
The measured impact of mandatory seat belt usage regulations on automobile safety and accident severity appears to be substantially less than anticipated. A review of accident data collected by a number of countries, before and after implementation of a mandatory use law, indicates that mandatory seat belt usage made a measurable impact on safety only after the passenger belt usage rate rose above 60%. Data from these countries also indicate that user compliance above 60% is attainable only with rigorous usage enforcement programs.

The explanation appears to be related to the fact that drivers are not a homogeneous population. Drivers who generally exhibit more risk-taking behavior and who have the most automobile accidents, are the least likely to comply voluntarily with the seat belt law, and are the last drivers to be affected by enforcement programs.

File Size: 297K
Product Status: In Stock

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