Samenvatting
As of August 1987, twenty seven American states plus the district of Columbia had seat belt laws in effect, and about three quarters of the U.S. population live in states with such laws. Belt laws have influenced the behaviour of tens of millions of persons, bringing about levels of belt use higher than ever seen before in the USA. It seems also that enforcement is the one key to higher belt law benefits. Visible official support is also critical and public education is wanted.