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Motor Vehicle Occupant
Safety Survey:

Volume 2

Seat Belt Report

March, 2000




TABLE OF CONTENTS



FIGURES AND TABLES

TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

Background
Methodology

CHAPTER 1  SEAT BELT USE

Drivers and Vehicles
Adjustable Shoulder Belt
Drivers' Use of Seat Belts
Group Differences In Reported Seat Belt Use
Relating Seat Belt Use To Other (Problem) Behaviors
Comparing Reported To Observed Seat Belt Use
Clarifying Reported Usage
Revised Comparison of Reported To Observed Seat Belt Use
Reported Changes In Belt Use
Regional Differences
Demographic Differences
Reasons For Change
Company Seat Belt Policy
Company Enforcement of Seat Belt Policy
Seat Belt Use At Work and Company Policy
Passenger Use of Seat Belts

CHAPTER 2  REASONS FOR SEAT BELT USE AND NON-USE

Reasons For Seat Belt Use
Most Important Reason For Seat Belt Use
Reasons For Non-Use Of Seat Belts
Most Important Reason For Non-Use Of Seat Belts
What Drivers Dislike Or Find Annoying About Seat Belts
Reasons For Seat Belt Use By Non-Drivers
Non-Drivers' Reasons For Not Using Seat Belts
Vince and Larry, The Crash Dummies

CHAPTER 3  ATTITUDES CONCERNING THE UTILITY OF SEAT BELTS, RISK PERCEPTION, AND FATALISM

Introduction Of New Survey Section On Attitudes Concerning Seat Belts
Attitudes Concerning Risk Perception And The Utility Of Seat Belts
Attitudes Concerning Parental Influence On Seat Belt Use
Attitudes Toward Fatalism
Sex And Age Differences In Attitudes
Racial And Ethnic Differences In Attitudes
Differences In Attitudes By Educational Level
Experience With Seat Belt Failures

CHAPTER 4  ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE WITH SEAT BELT LAWS AND THEIR ENFORCEMENT

Attitudes Toward Seat Belt Laws
Attitudes Toward Enforcement Of Seat Belt Laws
Knowledge Of State Seat Belt Laws
Standard or Secondary Enforcement Provisions Of Seat Belt Laws
Stopped For Traffic-Related Reason In Past Year
Beliefs About Power Of Law Enforcement To Stop Vehicles
Ever Received Ticket Or Warning For Seat Belt Violation
Perceived Risk Of Being Ticketed For Non-Use Of Seat Belts
Preferred Level Of Enforcement

CHAPTER 5  1994-1998 TRENDS

Drivers and Vehicles, 1994-1998
Type of Driver-Side Seat Belts, 1994-1998
Driver's Use of Seat Belts, 1994-1998
Reported Changes in Driver Seat Belt Use, 1994-1998
Driving On The Job, 1994-1998
Company Seat Belt Policy, 1994-1998
Frequency Of Front Seat Passenger Seat Belt Use, 1994-1998
Frequency Of Back Seat Passenger Seat Belt Use, 1994-1998
Most Important Reason For Seat Belt Use By Drivers, 1994-1998
Most Important Reason For Non-Use Of Seat Belts By Drivers, 1994-1998
Drivers Who Dislike Or Find Something Annoying About Seat Belts, 1994-1998
Advertising Awareness, The Crash Dummies, 1994-1998
Support For Seat Belt Laws That Apply To The Front Seat, 1994-1998
Support For Seat Belt Laws That Apply To Both The Front And Back Seats, 1994-1998
Support For Fines And Points, 1994-1998
Likely Reaction To Receiving Seat Belt Ticket, 1994-1998
Believe Their State Has A Seat Belt Law, 1994-1998
Knowledge of Standard Versus Secondary Enforcement, 1994-1998
Support For Standard Enforcement, 1996-1998
Ever Received A Seat Belt Ticket Or Warning, 1994-1998
Perceived Likelihood Of Being Ticketed, 1994-1998
Level Of Support For Enforcing Seat Belt Laws, 1994-1998

APPENDIX A  PRECISION OF SAMPLE ESTIMATES

APPENDIX B  STATE HIGHWAY SAFETY LAWS AT TIME OF SURVEY



FIGURES AND TABLES



CHAPTER 1:  1998 SEAT BELT USE

Figures

Figure 1.Driving Frequency
Figure 2.Primary Vehicle Driven
Figure 3.Have Adjustable Shoulder Belt
Figure 4.Effectiveness Of Adjustable Shoulder Belts
Figure 5.Reported Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 6.Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use: Belts Not Having Automatic Components
Figure 7.Frequency Of Driver Lap Belt Use: If Shoulder Belt Used All The Time
Figure 8.Reported Change In The Use Of Seat Belts By Drivers
Figure 9.Causes Of Increased Belt Use
Figure 10.Frequency Drive Vehicle As Part Of Job Or Business
Figure 11.Presence Of Company Seat Belt Policy
Figure 12.Enforcement Of Company Seat Belt Policy
Figure 13.Likelihood Of Wearing Seat Belt: Work Compared To Personal Driving
Figure 14.Causes Of Increased Belt Use When Driving On The Job
Figure 15.Drivers' Job Vs. Personal Seat Belt Use By Presence Of Company Policy
Figure 16.Drivers' General Seat Belt Use By Presence Of Company Policy
Figure 17.Frequency Ride As Passenger
Figure 18.Usually Rides In Front Or Back Seat
Figure 19.Reported Frequency Of Seat Belt Use As Passenger In Front Seat
Figure 20.Reported Frequency Of Seat Belt Use As Passenger In Back Seat

Tables

Table 1.Driving Frequency By Demographic Characteristics
Table 2.Seat Belt Configuration By Type Of Primary Vehicle
Table 3.Type Of Driver Seat Belt In Primary Vehicle
Table 4.Driver Seat Belt Use By Demographic And Other Characteristics
Table 5.Driver Seat Belt Use By Alcohol Use
Table 6.Driver Seat Belt Use By Driving Speed
Table 7.Reported Seat Belt Use Compared To Observed Use By Drivers
Table 8.Last Time Drivers Did Not Wear Seat Belt By Frequency Of Reported Seat Belt Use
Table 9.Revised Reported Seat Belt Use Compared To Observed Use By Drivers
Table 10.Patterns Of Reported Driver Seat Belt Use By NHTSA Region
Table 11.Reported Change In Driver's Use Of Seat Belts In The Past Year By Demographic Characteristics
Table 12.How Employer Enforces Seat Belt Policy
Table 13.Frequency Wear Seat Belt As Front Seat Passenger
Table 14.Frequency Wear Seat Belt As Back Seat Passenger By Where Usually Ride As Passenger
Table 15.Frequency Of Seat Belt Use As Driver By Frequency Of Seat Belt Use As Front Seat Passenger
Table 16.Frequency Of Seat Belt Use As Driver By Frequency Of Seat Belt Use As Back Seat Passenger

CHAPTER 2:  REASONS FOR SEAT BELT USE AND NON-USE

Figures

Figure 21.Reasons For Seat Belt Use - Drivers
Figure 22.Driver Reasons For Seat Belt Use By Reported Level Of Seat Belt Use
Figure 23.Most Important Reason For Seat Belt Use - Drivers
Figure 24.Most Important Reason For Driver Seat Belt Use By Reported Level Of Seat Belt Use
Figure 25.Reasons For Non-Use Of Seat Belts - Drivers
Figure 26.Reasons For Non-Use Of Seat Belts: Non-Users Versus Part Time Users
Figure 27.Most Important Reason For Non-Use Of Seat Belts - Drivers
Figure 28.Most Important Reason For Non-Use Of Seat Belts: Non-Users Versus Part Time Users
Figure 29.Dislike Or Find Seat Belts Annoying: Drivers
Figure 30.Dislike Or Find Seat Belts Annoying By Reported Belt Use: Drivers
Figure 31.Dislike Or Find Seat Belts Annoying By Sex
Figure 32.Dislike Or Find Seat Belts Annoying By Weight
Figure 33.Dislike Or Find Seat Belts Annoying By Presence Of Adjustable Shoulder Belt In Primary Vehicle
Figure 34.Reasons For Seat Belt Use: Non-Drivers Versus Drivers
Figure 35.Most Important Reason For Seat Belt Use: Non-Drivers Versus Drivers
Figure 36.Reasons For Not Wearing A Seat Belt: Non-Drivers Versus Drivers
Figure 37.Most Important Reason For Not Wearing A Seat Belt: Non-Drivers Versus Drivers
Figure 38.Awareness Of Crash Dummy Ads: General Public
Figure 39.Seen/Heard Ad And Recall Belt Message By Age

Tables

Table 17.Driver Reasons For Seat Belt Use By Sex And Age
Table 18.Driver Reasons For Seat Belt Use By Race And Ethnicity
Table 19.Driver Reasons For Seat Belt Use By Education
Table 20.Most Important Reason For Driver Seat Belt Use By Sex And Age
Table 21.Most Important Reason For Driver Seat Belt Use By Race And Ethnicity
Table 22.Most Important Reason For Driver Seat Belt Use By Education
Table 23.Driver Reasons For Non-Use Of Seat Belts By Sex And Age
Table 24.Driver Reasons For Non-Use Of Seat Belts By Race And Ethnicity
Table 25.Driver Reasons For Non-Use Of Seat Belts By Education
Table 26.Most Important Reason For Non-Use Of Seat Belts: Verbatim "Other" Reasons Reported By Non-Users
Table 27.Most Important Reason For Driver Non-Use Of Seat Belts By Sex And Age
Table 28.Most Important Reason For Driver Non-Use Of Seat Belts By Race And Ethnicity
Table 29.Most Important Reason For Driver Non-Use Of Seat Belts By Education
Table 30.What Drivers Dislike Or Find Annoying About Seat Belts

CHAPTER 3:  ATTITUDES CONCERNING THE UTILITY OF SEAT BELTS, RISK PERCEPTION, AND FATALISM

Figures

Figure 40.If I Were In An Accident I Would Want To Have My Seat Belt On
Figure 41.Would Want Seat Belt On In Accident By Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 42.Seat Belts Are Just As Likely To Harm You As Help You
Figure 43.Seat Belts Are Just As Likely To Harm As Help By Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 44.Medical Insurance Costs Would Be Lower If More People Wore Seat Belts
Figure 45.Medical Insurance Costs Would Be Lower By Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 46.Putting On A Seat Belt Makes Me Worry More About Being In An Accident
Figure 47.Putting On A Seat Belt Makes Me Worry More By Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 48.An Accident Close To Home Is Usually Not As Serious As An Accident Further Away
Figure 49.Accidents Close To Home Are Less Serious By Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 50.I Would Feel Self-Conscious Around My Friends If I Wore A Seat Belt And They Did Not
Figure 51.I Would Feel Self-Conscious Around My Friends By Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 52.If Parents Don't Wear Belts But Insist Children Use Them, The Children Will Almost Always Use Seat Belts As Adults
Figure 53.If Parents Don't Wear Belts But Insist Their Children Do, The Children Will Almost Always Wear Belts As Adults By Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 54.I Have A Habit Of Wearing A Seat Belt Because My Parents Insisted I Wear Them When I Was A Child By Age Group
Figure 55.Believe Wearing Seat Belt Matters By Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 56.Believe Wearing Seat Belt Doesn't Matter By Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 57.Seat Belt Has Broken Apart When Respondent Or Someone Respondent Knows Was Using It
Figure 58.Reported Seat Belt Failures By Driver Seat Belt Use

Tables

Table 31.Attitudes Concerning Risk Perception, Fatalism, And The Usefulness Of Seat Belts By Sex And Age
Table 32.Attitudes Concerning Risk Perception, Fatalism, And The Usefulness Of Seat Belts By Race And Ethnicity
Table 33.Attitudes Concerning Risk Perception, Fatalism, And The Usefulness Of Seat Belts By Education

CHAPTER 4:  ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE WITH SEAT BELT LAWS AND THEIR ENFORCEMENT

Figures

Figure 59.Support For Front Seat Belt Laws
Figure 60.Favor Front Seat Belt Laws By Sex And Age
Figure 61.Favor Front Seat Belt Laws By Race And Ethnicity 114
Figure 62.Favor Front Seat Belt Laws By Drivers' Reported Seat Belt Use
Figure 63.Support For Seat Belt Laws That Apply To Back Seat Adult Passengers
Figure 64.Favor Seat Belt Laws For Adult Front And Back Seat Passengers By Sex, Race, And Ethnicity
Figure 65.Favor Seat Belt Laws For Adult Front And Back Seat Passengers By Age
Figure 66.Support For Fines And Points
Figure 67.Suggested Minimum Fine For Violation Of Seat Belt Law: Fine Supporters
Figure 68.Someone They Know Would Probably Or Definitely Wear Seat Belts More Often If Assessed The State Fine
Figure 69.Likely Reaction To Receiving Ticket For Seat Belt Violation
Figure 70.Deserve Seat Belt Ticket By Favor Or Oppose Front Seat Seat Belt Laws
Figure 71.Likely Reaction To Receiving Seat Belt Ticket By Sex, Race, And Ethnicity
Figure 72.Believe Their State Has A Law Requiring Seat Belt Use
Figure 73.Who Is Required To Wear Seat Belts According To State Law
Figure 74.Driver Reported Belt Use By Whether Driver Believes Law Covers Drivers
Figure 75.Adults' Reported Front Passenger Seat Belt Use By Whether Believe Law Covers That Position
Figure 76.Adults' Reported Back Passenger Seat Belt Use By Whether Believe Law Covers That Position
Figure 77.Beliefs About Which Adults Are Required To Wear Seat Belts
Figure 78.Beliefs About Whether State Law Permits Standard Or Secondary Enforcement
Figure 79.Knowledge Of Standard Versus Secondary Enforcement By Provisions Of State Law
Figure 80.Reported Seat Belt Use By Whether Driver Lives In Standard Or Secondary Enforcement State
Figure 81.Reported Seat Belt Use By Whether Driver Believes Law Allows Standard Or Secondary Enforcement
Figure 82.Support For Standard Enforcement By Whether State Allows It
Figure 83.Support For Standard Enforcement By Whether Respondent Thinks Law Is Standard Or Secondary
Figure 84.Reasons People Believe Seat Belt Violations Should Be Treated Differently From Other Violations
Figure 85.Drivers Stopped In Past Year By Police For Traffic-Related Reason By Sex, Race, And Ethnicity
Figure 86.Drivers Stopped In Past Year By Police For Traffic-Related Reason By Age
Figure 87.Drivers Stopped In Past Year For Traffic-Related Reason By Enforcement Provisions Of State Law
Figure 88.Whether Driver Was Wearing Seat Belt At Traffic Stop
Figure 89.Outcome Of Traffic Stop
Figure 90.If A Police Officer Wanted To Stop A Motor Vehicle, S/he Could Always Find A Legal Reason To Do So
Figure 91.Ever Received Ticket Or Warning For Seat Belt Violation
Figure 92.Ever Received Seat Belt Ticket Or Warning By Race And Ethnicity
Figure 93.Ever Received Seat Belt Ticket Or Warning By Enforcement Provisions Of State Law
Figure 94.Reported Change In Frequency Of Seat Belt Use After Receiving Seat Belt Ticket Or Warning
Figure 95.Driver "All The Time" Seat Belt Use By Whether Ever Received Seat Belt Ticket Or Warning
Figure 96.Likelihood Of Receiving A Seat Belt Ticket If Seat Belts Were Not Worn For Six Months
Figure 97.Perceived Risk Of Being Ticketed For Non-Use By Enforcement Provisions Of State Law
Figure 98.Perceived Risk Of Being Ticketed For Non-Use By Drivers' Reported Frequency Of Seat Belt Use
Figure 99.Police In My Community Generally Do Not Bother To Write Tickets For Seat Belt Violations
Figure 100.Police In Community Do Not Bother To Write Belt Tickets By Enforcement Provisions Of State Law
Figure 101.Police In Community Do Not Bother To Write Seat Belt Tickets By Frequency Of Driver Seat Belt Use
Figure 102.Level Of Support For Enforcing Seat Belt Laws
Figure 103.Level Of Support For Enforcing Seat Belt Laws By Enforcement Provisions Of State Law
Figure 104.Average Level Of Support For Enforcing Seat Belt Laws By Sex, Race, And Ethnicity
Figure 105.Average Level Of Support For Enforcing Seat Belt Laws By Age

Tables

Table 34.Support For Fines And Points By Sex, Age, Race, And Ethnicity
Table 35.Beliefs About Who Is Required To Wear Seat Belts By Seating Positions Covered By State Law
Table 36.Self-Reported Seat Belt Use By Seating Positions Covered By State Law
Table 37.Attitudes Concerning Utility Of Seat Belts By Whether State Seat Belt Law Permits Standard Or Secondary Enforcement
Table 38.Support For Standard Enforcement By Sex, Age, Race, And Ethnicity
Table 39."If A Police Officer Wanted To Stop A Motor Vehicle, That Officer Could Always Find A Legal Reason To Stop It" By Sex, Age, Race, And Ethnicity
Table 40.Perceived Risk Of Being Ticketed By Whether Ever Received A Seat Belt Ticket Or Warning
Table 41.Perceived Risk Of Being Ticketed For Non-Use By Sex, Age, Race, And Ethnicity
Table 42."Police In My Community Generally Do Not Bother To Write Tickets For Seat Belt Violations" By Sex, Age, Race, And Ethnicity

CHAPTER 5:  1994-1998 TRENDS

Figures

Figure 106.Frequency Of Reported Driver Seat Belt Use, 1994-1998
Figure 107.Last Time Did Not Wear Seat Belt By Drivers Who Said They Use Seat Belts All The Time
Figure 108.Reported Change In The Use Of Seat Belts Among Drivers, 1994-1998
Figure 109.At Least Sometimes Drive A Vehicle As Part Of A Job Or Business, 1994-1998
Figure 110.Dislike Or Find Something Annoying About Seat Belts, 1994-1998
Figure 111.Awareness Of Crash Dummy Ads: General Public, 1994-1998
Figure 112.Support For Front Seat Seat Belt Laws, 1994-1998
Figure 113.Support For Seat Belt Laws That Apply To Both The Front And Back Seats, 1994-1998
Figure 114.Support For Fines And Points, 1994-1998
Figure 115.Likely Reaction To Receiving Seat Belt Ticket, 1994-1998
Figure 116.Believe Their State Has A Seat Belt Law, 1994-1998
Figure 117.Believe State Law Is Standard Or Secondary, 1994-1998
Figure 118.Support Standard Enforcement, 1996-1998
Figure 119.Ever Received A Seat Belt Ticket Or Warning, 1994-1998
Figure 120.Likelihood Of Being Ticketed If Don't Wear Seat Belt While Driving Over Next 6 Months, 1994-1998
Figure 121.On A 10-Point Scale, How Strictly Police Should Enforce Seat Belt Laws, 1994-1998

Tables

Table 43.Driving Frequency, 1994-1998
Table 44.Type Of Primary Vehicle Driven, 1994-1998
Table 45.Seat Belt Configuration In Front Seat Of Primary Vehicle, 1994-1998
Table 46.Company Seat Belt Policy - Written Or Unwritten, 1994-1998
Table 47.Frequency Wear Seat Belt As Front Seat Passenger For Those Who Usually Ride In The Front Seat, 1994-1998
Table 48.Frequency Wear Seat Belt As Back Seat Passenger For Those Who Usually Ride In The Back Seat, 1994-1998
Table 49.Most Important Reason For Seat Belt Use: Drivers, 1994-1998
Table 50.Most Important Reason For Not Wearing A Seat Belt: Drivers, 1994-1998