The purpose of the study was to determine whether the reduction from $20 to $10 in the infringement notice penalty for the non wearing of seat belts produced a change in the proportion of infringement notices and cautions issued for seat belts. Using three month before and after periods it was found that in the metropolitan area there was a significant increase in the number of seat belt offences which resulted in an infringement notice rather than a caution being issued. The proportion of traffic law enforcement devoted to seat belts during the two periods was identical. Consequently it was concluded that the result was consistent with, but not necessarily proof, that the 50% reduction in the seat belt penalty did indeed lead to patrolmen in the metropolitan area issuing infringement notices rather than cautions.
Abstract