Abstract
Seat belt usage rates in Britain in the decade prior to the introduction of a mandatory usage law in January 1983 are reviewed to show a stable rate of around 30% in the 1970s. Various risk compensation theories are mentioned briefly, and then some observational data collected in 1982 are analysed to show that certain vehicle characteristics, notably car age and type, have a significant relationship with occupant belt usage rates under voluntary conditions. Speed and belt usage rates do not appear to be related. The audience effect of passenger presence on belt usage rates is discussed.
Data on the first post-law period are presented showing general belt usage rates rising to some 90%. The mortality and morbidity figures for car occupants show a significant reduction of approximately 25% without any discernible influences on other road casualties. Some data on the reductions obtained in specific injuries are given and these findings are discussed.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Reference
Adams, J., The Efficacy of Seat Belt Legislation, A Comparative Study of Road Accident Fatality Statistics from 18 Countries, Occasional Paper No. 38, U.C.L. England, 1981.
Bergan, A.T. et al., The Correlation of Vehicle Characteristics with Seat Belt Usage Rates in Saskatchewan, SAE Paper 790679. 1979.
Conybeare, J.A.C., Evaluation of Automobile Safety Regulations, The Case of Compulsory Seat Belt Legislation in Australia, Policy Sciences, 12 27–39, 1980.
Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash Protection. Federal Register, 48 No. 203 Part V. 48627–9, 1983.
Deutsch, D. et al., Seat Belt Usage and Risk-Taking Behavior at Two Major Traffic Intersections, Proc. American Assoc. for Automotive Medicine, Proceedings, October 1980.
Ebbesen, E.B. & Haney, M., Flirting with Death, Variables Affecting Risk-Taking at Intersections, J. of Applied Soc. Psychology, 3, 4, 303–324, 1973.
Evans, L. and Herman, R., Note on Driver Adaption to Modified Vehicle Starting Acceleration, Human Factors, 18 (3), 235–240, 1976.
Evans, L., Wasielewski, P. and von Buseck, C.R., Compulsory Seat Belt Usage and Driver Risk-Taking Behavior, Human Factors, 24 (1), 41–48, 1982.
Griffiths, D.K., Hayes, H.R.M., Gloyns, P.F., Rattenbury, S.J. and Mackay G.M., Car Occupant Fatalities and the Effects of Future Safety Legislation. Proc. 20th Stapp. Conf. S.A.E. New York, 335–388, October, 1976.
Hansard, Parliamentary Debates. House of Commons. 65, No. 202, 11, July 30th, 1984.
Joksch, H.C. Critique of Sam Peltzman’s Study, The Effects of Automobile Safety Regulation, Accid. Anal. and Prev 8 129–137, 1976.
Lines, C.J., Speeds and Flows on the Ml in Bedfordshire during 1978 & 1979, TRRL SR661, 1981.
Mackay, G.M., Airbag Effectiveness—a case for the Compulsory use of Seat Belts. Proc. 14th F.I.S.I.T.A. Cong. Instn. Mech. Engrs. London 3, 56-70, June, 1972.
Mackay, G.M., A Review of Seat Belt Crash Performance in the U.K., Seat Belt Seminar Melbourne, 9–11 March 1976, Paper 12, 1976.
New Scientist, Do Compulsory Seat Belts Save Lives? New Scientist Ltd. London, 19th February, 451, 1981.
O’Neill, B., A Decision—Theory Model of Danger Compensation, Accid. Anal, and Prev. 9, 157–165, 1977.
Peltzman, S., The Effects of Automobile Safety Regulation, J. of Pol. Economy 83, No. 4, 677–723, 1975.
Reinfurt, D.W. and Chi, G.Y.H., Automotive Manual Safety Belt Systems, Proc. Int. Sym. on Occupant Restraint, A.A.A.M. III., June, 165–174, 1981.
Rumar, K. et al., Driver Reaction to a Technical Safety Measure—Studded Tires, Human Factors 18 (5), 443–454, 1976.
Rutherford, W., Greenfield, A., Hayes, H.R.M. and Nelson, J.K., Casualty Surgeons Annual Conf., Edinburgh, 1984.
Smeed, R.J., An Examination of the Results of Some Observations of Driver Behavior, Paper at the 1st International Driver Behavior Research Association Conference, U.C.L., 1973.
Taylor, D.H., Drivers Galvanic Skin Response and the Risk of Accident, Ergonomics, 7, 439–451, 1964.
Tingvall, C., Is Adams Right? Some Aspects on a Theory Concerning Seat Belt Legislation, J. Traffic Medicine, March, 41–47, 1983.
Wilde, G.J.S., Objective and Subjective Risk in Drivers’ Response to Road Conditions, The Implications of the Theory of Risk Homeostasis for Accident Aetiology and Prevention Paper Presented at this Seminar on the Implications of Risk-Taking Theories for Traffic Safety, West Berlin, Nov., 5–6, 1981.
Wilson, W.T. and Anderson, J.M., The effects of Tire type on Driving Speed and Presumed Risk-Taking,Ergonomics 23, No. 3, 23–235, 1980.
Zajonc, R.B., Social Facilitation, Science, 149, 269–274, 1965.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1985 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Mackay, M. (1985). Seat Belt Use Under Voluntary and Mandatory Conditions and its Effect on Casualties. In: Evans, L., Schwing, R.C. (eds) Human Behavior and Traffic Safety. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2173-6_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2173-6_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9280-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2173-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive