The major focus of this study was on differences between jurisdictions with seat belt use laws and jurisdictions without such laws in the relative importance of factors that influence reported seat belt use. A nationally representative sample of 2047 canadians was interviewed personally about their attitudes toward and use of seat belts. Multiple regression analyses performed separately for legislatedand unlegislated respondents revealed that, for both groups, the major predictors of reported seat belt use (past and intended) were attitudes toward seat belt use, normative pressure from friends and family to wear belts, and favorability toward seat belt use laws. Up to 53% of the variance in reported seat belt use was accounted for bythese factors and the presence of a seat belt law. The implicationsof these results for public education programs to promote seat beltuse are discussed.(A)
Abstract