The project described demonstrates the use of modest economic incentives to increase seat belt usage. Even though the wearing of seat belts has been shown to be the single most cost-effective remedy for the prevention of highway accident fatalities, research has shown that less than 11% of the us driving population regularly use seat belts, the approach used to increase seat belt usage is based on the principle that small, but frequent rewards (in this case, cash) can modify behaviour more successfully than less frequent although greater, rewards (crash protection), at two locations tested, shoulder belt observations were made over a period of several months, followed by a period of announced seat belt monitoring and then periods of educational and incentive phases, during the incentive phase a sample of cars were randomly stopped and coupons redeemable for $5 were awarded to all belted occupants, the results of increased belt usage during and after the incentive phases are discussed.
Abstract