Abstract
A stepwise method for the assessment of public opinions was developed and used to investigate attitudes towards seat belts. It was found that most people accept that seat belts are effective, despite the fact that a large majority usually or always drive with belts unfastened. This failure to use seat belts appeared to result primarily from a failure to acquire the habit of buckling up. It did not reflect distrust of seat belts or any very deep-seated systems of attitudes and beliefs. It was concluded that public-education programs will not increase use of seat belts, but that measures are called for which take the decision to wear a belt out of the hands of individual drivers and passengers.