China’s rapid economic growth and motorisation has resulted in increased road fatalities, estimated to be 250,000 in 2002 (Peden, Scurfield, Sleet et al., 2004). Seat belts are a highly proven intervention for protecting vehicle occupants, reducing the risk of fatality by up to 50% (Elvik & Vaa, 2004; Evans, 1996). China’s first comprehensive seatbelt wearing law became effective in May 2004 (National Peoples Congress, 2003) and the study conducted in November 2004. The study investigated methods for measuring seatbelt wearing rates in China with the aim of developing a data collection protocol using inter-rater reliability of observers as a measure of precision of observations. The study also aimed to identify factors influencing observer agreement in order to improve the quality of observations collected. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting