This study examined current belt use rates among high school students in Maryland, as well as longer term trends. There was substantial variation in use rates of the high school students (36-91) percent for drivers, 24-74 percent for passengers) largely reflecting differences in socioeconomic status of the communities in which the schools are located. In 1988, high school driver belt use was lower than among comparison drivers at each school. In this study, this was the case at three of the six schools for drivers and four of the six schools for right front passengers. Belt use for all drivers was generally much higher than in 1988. It is important to find ways to increase seat belt use among teenagers. The low rate of belt use by teenage passengers is of particular concern, since passengers comprise about 40 percent of all 16-19 year-old motor vehicle occupant deaths.
Samenvatting