The effect of selective traffic enforcement programs (steps) on seat belt use and motor vehicle accident casualties is evaluated. The following research questions are addressed: (a) will seat belt use2 years after a step be above the pre-step level? (b) will repeatedsteps be as effective as an initial step in increasing seat belt use? (c) does the increase in seat belt use induced by a step result in a reduction of accident casualties? a series of six seat belt surveys was conducted at the roadside in the ottawa area where three steps were implemented during a 12-month period and in a control community. Archival data were used to examine the impact of the steps on accident casualties. It was found that seat belt use 2 years after aninitial step was still significantly above baseline usage, that 3 subsequent steps significantly increased seat belt use from 66% to 84% and that driver casualties declined by 14% subsequent to the steps. Periodic steps are effective in affecting long-term increases in seat belt use and consequently reducing traffic accident casualties.(A)
Samenvatting