Citation

Evans L. J. Saf. Res. 1987; 18(2): 57-64.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0022-4375(87)90085-5

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Although it has been recognized for some time that drivers who wear safety belts differ in various ways (for example, risk-taking) from those who do not, such effects have not been estimated quantitatively. In this study, quantitative estimates are obtained for the ratio of involvement rates of unbelted drivers compared to involvement rates of belted drivers in seven types of traffic incidents (crashes or violations). Three of these use Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) data, and four use previously reported observational data. For all seven cases studied, unbelted driver involvement rates were 28% to 86% higher than those for belted drivers--the average being 53%. Such quantitative information is necessary for calculations of benefits to be expected from increases in safety belt use.