Citation

Lee J, Lian Y, Abdel-Aty M, Mao S, Cai Q. J. Transp. Saf. Secur. 2022; 14(11): 1976-1996.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Southeastern Transportation Center, and Beijing Jiaotong University, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19439962.2022.2033901

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Many states in the United States have passed the primary enforcement seat-belt law. Though there is strong evidence from previous studies that enhanced seat-belt enforcement interventions can substantially increase seat-belt use, thereby reducing fatalities. It is still necessary to evaluate the long-term effects of implementing the primary seat-belt law. In this study, changes in fatalities over time after the primary seat-belt law enactment are investigated using before-and-after study with the comparison group methods for fatality modification factors (FMFs). This study confirms that the number of adult fatalities without seat-belt has significantly decreased by 17.29%. Another key finding is that the fatality rates in states with a higher maximum fine amount are significantly lower than those with a lower one, however, the decrease in fatality trend is not as effective above about $100 fine. Implementing the primary seat-belt law is significantly effective in reducing fatalities without seat-belt in the long-term. Meanwhile, the relationship between fatalities reduction and the maximum fine amount is not positively linear related. It is imperative that states with the secondary seat-belt laws must reform their seat-belt laws to the primary seat-belt law. An appropriate fine amount can be determined to maximize the effectiveness of the primary seat-belt law.

Language: en

Keywords

before-and-after study with the comparison group; crash modification factor; primary seat-belt law; transportation policy