Samenvatting
The introduction of a fine incurred in the case of noncompliance with the belt usage law on August 1, 1984 resulted in a rise of the belt usage rates for all car front seat occupants to above 90% in the Federal Republic of Germany. At least a 15% reduction in the number of killed car occupants, a reduction of 47% in head injuries and a marked decline in eye injuries caused by contact with the windscreen have been observed since the fine was introduced.