Reported here are the results of a direct observation survey of safety belt use conducted in the fall of 1998. In this study, 11,413 occupants travelling in four vehicle types (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, vans/minivans, and pickup trucks) were surveyed during September 3- 24, 1998. Belt use was estimated for all vehicle types combined (the statewide safety belt use rate) and separately for each vehicle type. Within and across each vehicle type, belt use by age, sex, road type, day of week, time of day, and seating position was calculated. Statewide belt use was 69.9 percent. This rate was significantly higher than last years rate. Belt use was 72.6 percent for passenger cars, 73.1 percent for sport-utility vehicles, 75.7 percent for vans/minivans, and 54.1 percent for pickup trucks. For all vehicle types, belt use was higher for females than for males and higher for drivers than for passengers. In general, belt use was high during the morning commute, and belt use did not vary systematically by time of day, day of week, or weather conditions. Survey results suggest that maintenance of effective public information and education programs, increased enforcement of secondary belt use laws, implementation of primary (standard) enforcement of mandatory safety belt use, and targeting programs at low use populations, could be effective in increasing safety belt use in Michigan and in helping Michigan reach the national belt use standards set for the years 2000 and 2002. (Author/publisher)
Abstract