The aim of this study was to determine the potential benefits of retrofitting a seat belt reminder device to passenger vehicles in the Australian fleet. The analysis was restricted to vehicles up to ten years of age at the time of retrofitting. Benefits were computed for three introduction scenarios (driver–only, front seat occupants and all occupants), four levels of effectiveness from 10 percent to 40 percent, and a per seat unit cost from $25 –$65 in $10 increments. Using the preferred 5 percent discount rate, the BCRs were seen to range from 3.6:1 to 0.1:1 depending on the seating positions included, the effectiveness and cost of the device. The findings suggest that retrofitting seat belt reminder systems would be worthwhile for drivers’ seat–only implementation so long as the device would cost no more than $35, and would guarantee a minimum 20 percent improvement in belt–wearing. In the absence of mass–produced seat belt reminder systems, it was suggested that there is sufficient evidence to suggest that retrofitting such devices would prove cost–beneficial to Australian society in the long term if one were developed. (Author/publisher)
Abstract