In 2009, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) conducted a national seatbelt observational survey on Irish roads. Seatbelt usage and gender were recorded from motorists travelling along a selected sample of roads. Data was recorded from all car drivers, light goods vehicle drivers and adult front and rear passengers. Separate surveys for primary school and secondary school children travelling in the front or rear seat were also conducted. The survey was conducted among 17,130 adults occupying the front seats of vehicles, of which 13,925 (81%) were drivers. In addition, 1,396 adults occupying rear seats were observed. In 2009, 89% of adults (drivers, front and rear passengers) were recorded wearing a seatbelt — the highest rate recorded to date. 90% of drivers observed were wearing a seatbelt, no improvement on 2008 wearing rates. Seatbelt surveys conducted in previous years revealed the following wearing rates for drivers: • 2007 — 88% • 2006 and 2005 - 86 % • 2003 - 85 % • 2002 - 71 % • 1999 - 55 % • 1991 - 52 % Compared with 2008, there was a marginal increase in seatbelt wearing rates for females occupying the front seat in 2009. However, the survey showed no change in the males seatbelts wearing rates. The 2009 nationwide estimates for drivers’ seatbelt use by road type were 89% for urban national primary, 88% for urban national secondary, 93% for rural national primary, 91% for rural national secondary, 92% for regional roads and 86% for county roads. While front seatbelt wearing rates have remained at 2008 level, wearing rates in rear seats in 2009 (79%) have risen marginally since 2008 (78%). Wearing rates for both males and females are lower in 2009 than in 2007. However, wearing rates in 2009 for rear seat belts are still higher than in 2005, and 2006. At 80%, rear seatbelt wearing rates for primary school pupils saw an increase of 6 percentage points on wearing rates in 2008 (74%). Secondary school pupils showed a more dramatic increase with a 83% wearing rate recorded for rear seatbelts, up 11 percentage points on 2008 (72%). (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting