Citation

Pulley CH. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1973; 17: 52.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1973, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

It was December, 1970, when the Australian State of Victoria became the first political entity, with the exception of Brooklyn, Ohio, to enact legislation requiring all drivers and passengers of vehicles operating on its highways to either wear the safety belts installed in their cars or become subject to arrest and a small fine. Shortly thereafter, the State of New South Wales enacted similar legislation and then all other States of the Commonwealth followed this example, with the result that by the end of 1971 all Australian motorists were required by law to "buckle up" while driving.

The Australian states took this action because for thirty-eight consecutive years their highway fatalities and injuries figures had been on the increase. In spite of various public education and motivational programs, only one in five Australian drivers used the safety belts in their cars regularly, although, when polled, 90% of the public recognized the benefits of safety belts.

In the first year under the new law, safety belt usage increased from approximately 20% to in excess of 80%. Fatalities were reduced 20% and serious injuries dropped approximately 30%.