The observation of safety belt use can be performed at a distance (AMA), or by looking inside the car (IMA). The aim of this study is to determine the reliability of the AMA method in comparison with the IMA method. Both methods were used in 1991 to observe both the drivers' and front seat passengers' safety belt use. These methods were applied simultaneously, within and outside built-up areas in the Netherlands. The AMA observer noted: (1) the seat belt use by and sex of both drivers and front seat passengers of cars, as many as possible, while these were waiting at traffic lights; and (2) the car's license number, provided that there was a back seat passenger. The AMA allows more observations than the IMA method, as the cars waited at traffic lights. The IMA method was applied to only cars with at least one back seat passenger. It can be concluded that the AMA method appears to be appropriate to measure both the drivers' and front seat passengers' seat belt use and sex. However, more attention should be paid to the observators' instructions.
Abstract