Samenvatting
A study is described which considers the effect of the introduction of seat belt legislation in various countries of the world. The author outlines arguments for and against their use. Statistics are provided from Britain, Australia, West Germany and Sweden showing the usage of seat belts and the rate of fatalities before and after the introduction of legislation. Figures from Britain are further broken down into the effect on type of injury. It is shown that laws on mandatory seat belt wearing can result in a 90% rate of usage and that fatalities can be reduced by 40% in front seat occupants and 70% in rear seat occupants.