On 1 January 1990, the presence of seat belts on the back seats of new (imported) passenger cars was stipulated by law and on 1 April 1992 the use of rear seat belts when present was made compulsory. This report contains: a) the annual survey conducted since 1989 into the presence and use of both seat belts on the front and back seats, and of child restraint systems on the rear seats of cars; and b) an evaluation study into the effect of the introduction of the law on the use of seat belts on the back seats of cars. The most important results are as follows: (1) From the year 1991 to 1992, a large increase in the percentage of seat belt use on back seats when a seat belt was present; on city roads from 15% to 31%, on rural roads from 12 to 37%. The percentage is still low; (2) As regards the front seat in the given period, the percentage increased from 62% to 66% in built-up areas and on rural roads no significant change was found, around 80%; (3) More than 90% of the drivers and back-seat passengers knew about the law on rear-seat belt use; (4) About 80% of the persons interviewed have seen publicity regarding seat belts on television; (5) Around 50% of drivers and back-seat passengers said they 'forgot' to use their seat belts; and (6) around 70% of the persons interviewed would like an automatic signal to tell them when the seat belt was not used. It was concluded that the possibilities for increasing the use of seat belts in front and back seats of cars are great. Recommendations were given regarding information campaigns, police enforcement, social coercion and technical provisions.
Abstract