Reported here are the results of a direct observation survey of safety belt use conducted in the fall of 2000. In this study, 14,366 occupants travelling in four vehicle types (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, vans/minivans, and pickup trucks) were surveyed during August 31 to September 18, 2000. Belt use was estimated for all commercial/noncommercial vehicle types combined (the state-wide safety belt use rate) and separately for each vehicle type. Within and across each vehicle type, belt use by age, sex, road type, day of week, time of day, and seating position were calculated. State-wide belt use was 81.9%. When compared with last year's rate, this year's estimated use rate shows that safety belt use in Michigan has increased by almost 12 percentage points over the past year. Belt use was 85.0% for passenger cars, 83.1% for sport-utility vehicles, 83.2% for vans/minivans, and 71.2% for pickup trucks. For all vehicle types, belt use was higher for females than for males and higher for drivers than for passengers. In general, belt use was high during the morning and evening rush hours. Belt use did not vary systematically by day of week. Belt use was lowest among 16-to-29 year olds, and highest among the 4-to-15 and 60-and-older age groups. Survey results suggest that the implementation of standard enforcement safety belt use laws and the accompanying enforcement and public information efforts have been very effective in increasing safety belt use in Michigan over the past year. (A)
Samenvatting