This report examines the process of enacting laws requiring the use of seat belts in the United States. It assesses these laws against the perspective of benefits realized from such mandates in other nations. Chapter one is an introduction; chapter two provides background on seat belt installation in U.S. vehicles, introduction of belt use laws, and what is required to produce a large change in U.S. fatalities. Chapter three examines two issues involved in assessing the effects of the countermeasure: the effectiveness of seat belts in reducing injury if worn and the effectiveness of seat belt laws in ameliorating casualties in the targeted population. Chapter four is a review of findings from Australia, Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The following information is presented for each country: belt wearing rates, enforcement, publicity, and casualty reduction. It is found that high rates of belt use have been achieved and apparently sustained over significant time periods. Chapter five discusses the U.S. seat belt laws--belt wearing rates, enforcement, publicity, and casualty reduction. Chapter six focuses on certain differences between the other nations and the United States that may be relevant to a discussion of why seat belt programs of foreign countries are more successful.
Abstract