The effects of a law on compulsory seat belt use on actual seat belt use and on beliefs about seat belt use were investigated. A questionnaire measuring the experience factors discomfort, worry, risk,effect, and inconvenience when wearing seat belts was given to 526 car owners. These car owners belonged to the same population as a group (n . 368) for which the questionnaire had been constructed in 1971. A comparison between questionnaire results from the 1976 and 1971 groups indicated that the law of compulsory seat belt use had, on the average, brought about more positive opinions regarding use of seat belts. The change was large concerning the experience of discomfort and inconvenience, the 1976 sample experiencing these factors less than the 1971 sample. Those who had started to use the belts whenthe law was enacted showed more favorable attitudes, whereas the consistent nonusers showed more negative attitudes in 1976 than they had shown in 1971.(A)
Samenvatting