This study examined trends in safety belt use by age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and type of safety belt law. Researchers analysed Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System data on safety belt use from 33 states for 1987 through 1993 and used linear regression models to determine trends in prevalence. Results show that Asian/Pacific Islanders and Hispanics had the highest safety belt use among racial/ethnic groups. Overall safety belt use increased by an average of 2.7 + or - 0.1 percentage points per year and varied little across most demographic groups, but there was no significant increase for Black males aged 18 through 29 years. In conclusion, states should enact primary safety belt laws and focus safety belt use efforts towards young Black males. (A)
Samenvatting