Exploring the Methods to Increase Seat Belt Usage in Kansas

10806112007PDFTech ReportK-TRAN: KSU-05-2C1522AgeAttitudesCountermeasuresEconomic impactsFatalitiesSeat belt useDemographicsEthnic groupsGenderEconomicsHighwaysLawPolicyResearchSafety and Human FactorsSocietyI83: Accidents and the Human FactorKansasUnited StatesKansas. Dept. of TransportationDissanayake, SunandaParikh, AbhishekKansas State University. Dept. of Civil EngineeringKansas. Dept. of Transportation. Bureau of Materials & ResearchUS Transportation CollectionSeat belt usage has frequently been identified as one of the most effective ways of improving highway safety and considered to be particularly useful in reducing fatalities. However, the state of Kansas experiences considerably lower safety belt usage rates compared to many other states and the national average. The Kansas Department of Transportation and other involved parties are interested in improving the usage rates and thereby improve safety of road users in Kansas. Accordingly, the main objective of this study was to explore the methods to increase seat belt usage in Kansas with the intention of reducing huge economic losses to the state in the form of traffic crashes. This objective was achieved by two parallel approaches: (1) by identifying the factors that affect safety belt usage in Kansas so that more effective programs could be developed; (2) by gathering information on attitudes, perceptions, understanding and other related characteristics of Kansans in relation to safety belt use. During the first approach, statistical models were developed to predict state seat belt usage rates based on factors that include demographic characteristics, socio-economic factors and policies/regulations. To supplement this, statistical models predicting traffic fatalities and unrestrained vehicle occupant fatalities as a function of seat belt law and other characteristics mentioned previously were also developed. These models could be used to quantify the effects of enforcing primary seat belt law in saving lives in Kansas. Focus group surveys of Kansas drivers were a real eye opener, indicating very low understanding regarding the seat belt law, where lower income groups, younger drivers, and minority groups particularly lagged. Stated belt use behavior revealed that females versus males, van users versus pick-up truck drivers, older drivers versus young drivers, non-Hispanics versus Hispanics are more likely to use seat belts. Reasons for non-use included absence of factors which positively affect the decision, types of trips Even though some of theses factors are beyond control, other findings indicate that a considerable percentage of drivers suggest stricter laws and other punishments to improve their own safety, perhaps because they are not able to maintain a high level of self-discipline by themselves.82