In recent model years, Ford vehicles have been equipped with a supplementary seat belt reminder system that flashes and chimes intermittently for up to 5 minutes if the driver is unbelted. Personal interviews were conducted with 405 drivers of vehicles with the reminder system. Among the drivers, 67 percent said they had activated the belt reminder one or more times, 73 percent said that the last time this happened they fastened their belts, 46 percent said their belt use had increased since driving this vehicle, 78 percent said they liked the reminder system, and 79 percent said they wanted a reminder system like this in their next vehicle. Five percent had disabled the system. Part-time users were responsive to the reminder, e.g., of those who said they currently used belts usually but not on some occasions, 70 percent said they fastened their seat belts the last time the reminder was activated and 76 percent said their belt use had increased. A small minority spontaneously mentioned the belt reminder as an especially disliked feature of their new vehicles, and a few said their belt use had decreased since having it. The 7 percent of respondents who reported they used belts never or very occasionally were least responsive to the system. Overall, the Ford belt reminder system is being favourably received. Sound- and light-based belt reminder systems of various types are beginning to appear in the market place, and it is important to learn about their acceptance and, especially, their ability to increase belt use. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting