This report investigates the extent of seat belt and restraint use on remote area roads to determine the extent to which restraints are not used, the potential reasons for non-use and means by which their use could be increased. The research was conducted in three principle phases: a review of published literature on the issue; an analysis of crash statistics from three Australian jurisdictions; and a series of focus groups and in-depth interviews in remote areas. The review of previous Australian and overseas research concluded non-users of seal belts are over-represented in crashes and that drivers who travel unrestrained are also more likely to be engaged in other risky behaviours such as speeding or higher driver BAC. The literature review indicated that a combination of education, enforcement and incentives could prove effective in improving seat belt wearing rates. A review of crash statistics for New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory was undertaken. This analysis indicated higher proportions of non-restraint use in remote areas in all jurisdictions, but the differences were more exacerbated in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. The statistics also revealed males were less likely to use seat belts in remote areas. A series of focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted in remote towns in the Northern Territory and Western Australia to gain an insight into reasons for non-use of seat belts. Qualitative analysis of the focus groups indicated a number of differing attitudes to the use of seat belts, largely due to individual's perceptions of the usefulness of seat belts in reducing road trauma and the probability of facing penalties for their non-use. Results of the qualitative research were used to suggest some potential programs that might be useful in encouraging higher levels of seat belt usage. (Author/publisher)
Abstract