Almost every private motor car in the U.K. is equipped with seat belts for the front seat occupants. Surveys have shown that belt usage rates seldom exceed 37% overall. A research program is described that sought to establish why car seat belt usage is low; the reactions of people to seat belts and other forms of occupant restraint; and ways in which usage may be increased. The major conclusion was that belt usage can only practicably be increased to high levels, by the introduction of legislation requiring usage; other concomitant solutions were however offered.
