6 Perlorming Organization Code-4 1 9. Performing Organization Name and Address

A direct observation survey of safety belt use in Michigan was conducted in the fall of 2002. In this study, 14,160 occupants traveling in four vehicle types (passenger cars, sport-utility vcthicles, vanslminivans, and pickup trucks) were surveyed between August 29 and September 12,2002. B'elt use was estimated for all commerciallnoncommercial vehicle types combined (the statewide safety belt use rate) and separately for each vehicle type. Within and across each vehicle type, belt use by age, sex, road type, day of week, time of day, and seating position were calculated. Statewide belt use was 82.9 percent. When compared with last year's rate, the current rate shows that safety belt use in Michigan has remained about the same. However, a comparison with the state wide survey conducted in June, 2002, reveals that belt use has slightly increased over the last three months. A comparison with the highest rate observed before the introduction of standard enforcement shows that the current rate reflects a 12.8 percentage point increase. Belt use was 85.1 percent for passenger cars, 85.5 percent for sport-utility vehicles, 83.1 percent for vanslminivans, and 74.4 percent for pickup trucks. For all vehicle types combined, belt use was higher for females than for males, and higher for drivers than for passengers. In general, belt use was high during the morning rush hour. Belt use did not vary systematically by day of week. Belt use was lowest among 16-to-29 year olds, and highest among the 60-and-older age group