The main goal of this study was to analyse why drivers and passengers use seat belts less frequently on urban roads than highways. We compared perceptions, beliefs and expectancy of results for seat-belt use on urban roads and highways. We also tried to identify variables that discriminated belted and unbelted subjects on urban roads. Subjects were 50 undergraduate students (aged 18 to 46). Discomfort in using seat belts on urban roads is higher. Risk perception (for non-use), safety perception (for use) and beliefs about seriousness of collisions or effectiveness of seat-belts are lower for urban roads than for highways. Many think that seat-belt use is not necessary and feel that its use means an unacceptable loss of comfort on urban roads. Only risk or safety perception for health, discomfort and social influence predicts seat-belt use on urban roads. Thus, increased seat-belt use could be brought about by car designers and engineers. In addition, prevention campaigns must include information on risks of non-use of seat belts on urban roads. The potentially positive or negative role of social influence is key to consolidation of seat-belt use. For the covering abstract see ITRD E113725 (C 22328 CD-ROM).
Samenvatting