Restraint system use in nineteen United States cities. 1991 annual report

NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Researchhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15253331992PDFResearch PaperDatta, Tapan K.Guzek, PaulGoodell-Grivas, Inc.United States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited StatesManual safety beltsChild restraint systemsMotorcyclesAutomatic seat beltsMotorcycle helmetsStatisticsField studiesDOT-HS-808-148DTNH22-89-C-07034Schweitz, RobertAnnual reportThis study continued to monitor the use of occupant restraint systems and motorcycle/moped helmet use in 19 U.S. cities during 1991. A total of 256,907 observations of automobile drivers indicated an overall driver safety belt use rate of 51.1%. The driver safety belt use rate in areas that have mandatory use laws was 60.9% for female drivers and 47.6% for male drivers. Whereas in areas with no use laws, driver safety belt use rate was 45.2% for female drivers and 30.7% for male drivers. The shopping center observation indicated that 70.2% of the infants, 73.6% of the toddlers, 41.8% of the subteens, 22.9% of the teens and 40.5% of the adult passengers were restrained. Child safety seats were observed being used for 87.0% of the infant and 81.8% of the toddler passengers. Correct toddler safety seat installation was recorded at a rate of 85.9%. In areas with motorcycle helmet use laws 99.5% of the operators and 98.1% of the passengers used helmets. Helmet use in areas with no helmet use laws was 39.6% for operators and 27.7% for passengers. Automobiles equipped with automatic belt systems had an overall driver belt use rate of 80.1%. The motorized shoulder belt system that could not be disconnected displayed the highest use rate of 96.6%. The lowest automatic system use rate of 63.5% was observed from the 3-point nonmotorized system. /Abstract from report summary page/129