Since 1991, the use of seat belts and child's seats is measured on an annual basis by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and the Public Prosecution Service. The government encourages the use of seat belts, child seats and head restraints through public campaigns and enforcement; the research objective is to investigate whether these activities are effective or might require changes. The figures from previous research show that the government's activities have been successful, but that public education and enforcement remain necessary. In 2008, between mid-March and mid-May, another 'seat belts on' campaign was launched. The campaign is part of the larger road safety program (MPCV), which also addresses topics such as driving behaviour, drinking and driving, and bicycle lighting. Each year the research is carried out with a pretest and posttest data collection, which provides the possibility to give insight in the direct effects of the campaign. The scale of the projects varies per year, with a smaller scale research in uneven years, and a larger scale research in even years. Goudappel Coffeng carried out the fieldwork in 2008, for a large scale research in all 25 police regions in the Netherlands. It comprised the following elements: 1. Over 31,000 observations of seat belt use in cars and delivery vans; 2. Observations on the use of child seats, with a short questionnaire (440 in total); 3. Over 3.600 observations on the adjustment of head supports for the driver's seat and the front passenger's; 4. An extensive questionnaire among 2.676 individuals on the use of seat belts, child seats, head supports, risk perception and motivation, and the reach of the public campaign. The observations and child seat questionnaire were carried out identical to the previous years. New in comparison with previous data collections is specific research into not-wearing seat belts. For future public campaigns, the Ministry is searching for motivating factors of nonconform behaviour. Another new element is that this research functions as a test site within the European CAST project. The Ministry participates in this research. CAST is concerned with the development of measuring methods, among other things to determine the influence of campaigns on traffic behaviour. In this case, the problem of self reported versus observed behaviour is specifically addressed. A new way of respondent approach has been developed for this problem, distinguishing the groups of users and non-users of seat belts. A number of observations were carried out at new locations. Each year some previously used locations appear unfit for observation, because of infrastructural changes or road works. New locations are selected instead. The composition of the location list however, with criteria such as situation and road type, has remained constant. (Author/publisher)
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