Reported here are the results of a direct observation survey of safety belt use conducted in the fall of 2001. In this study, 15,142 occupants traveling in four vehicle types (passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, vans/minivans, and pickup trucks) were surveyed during August 30 to September 12, 2001. Belt use was estimated for all commercial/noncommercial vehicles 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 were calculated. Statewide belt use was 92.3%. When compared with last year's rate, the current rate shows that safety belt use in Michigan has remained about the same. However, a comparison with the highest rate observed before the introduction of standard enforcement reveals that the current rate reflects a 12.2 percentage point increase. Belt use was 84.5% for passenger cars, 81.9% for sport utility vehicles, 86.6% for vans/minivans, and 73.2% for pickup trucks. For all vehicle types combined, 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 and evening rush hours. Belt use did not vary systematically by day of week. Belt use was lowest among 16-to-19 year olds, and highest among the 4-to-15 and 60-and-older age groups. Survey results suggest that the implementation of standard enforcement safety belt use laws and the accompanying enforcement and public information efforts have been very effective in increasing safety belt use in Michigan. (Author/publisher)
Abstract