@article{ref1,
title="Effects of safety belt laws on safety belt use by American High School Seniors, 1986-2000",
journal="Journal of safety research",
year="2004",
author="O'malley, P. M. and Wagenaar, Alexander C.",
volume="35",
number="1",
pages="125-130",
abstract="PROBLEM: This manuscript evaluates the effects of enactment of state laws that required safety belt use in various U.S. states between 1986 and 2000. METHOD: Safety belt use was assessed using nationally representative cross-sectional samples of high school seniors; evaluation of the effects of laws used data from over 2,000 high school seniors before and about 3,300 after the laws took effect in 20 states. RESULTS: Belt use was found to increase significantly between 1986 and 2000, and the laws contributed significantly to that increase. Increases were similar for students differing by gender, race/ethnicity, parent education, grades, truancy, evenings out per week, miles driven per week, and an index of illicit drug use. DISCUSSION: The data show that although the laws have increased belt use, use is not universal and continued efforts are needed. IMPACT ON RESEARCH, PRACTICE, AND POLICY: This study shows that many teenagers fail to use belts when there is a secondary use law; an implication is that primary laws would be more efficacious in increasing use among this vulnerable population.",
language="en",
issn="0022-4375",
doi="10.1016/j.jsr.2003.07.005",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2003.07.005"
}