The VTI has been conducting a continuous series of observations of car seat belt usage in ten towns in central Sweden since 1983. The observations from 12 days in August-September 1994 show that car seat belt usage had increased somewhat compared with 1993. The increase is not large but is approximately equal for all categories: drivers, front seat passengers, rear seat passengers, children and adults. The degree of usage varies greatly. Drivers and front seat passengers use their belts on just under 80% of short trips in urban environments. On journeys to and from work, usage is just over 85%. At weekends, over 95% of all drivers use their belts. The highest usage is found among drivers on making long-distance journeys on motorways at weekends. Seat belt usage in front seats has remained on a high level since the VTI began its observations in 1983. Seat belt usage among adults in the rear seat is 75-80% and among children 85-90%. Young men showed the lowest usage, 82%. Women generally used their seat belts more than men and older people more than younger. Among 212 taxi drivers in urban environments, 12 were found to be using a seat belt. (A)
Abstract