Potential mechanisms underlying the decision to use a seat belt: a literature review

Abstract

The purpose of this literature review was to serve as the background knowledgebase for a 5-year cooperative agreement between NHTSA and the University of Michigan. This discretionary cooperative agreement is intended to study promising lines of research that elucidate the mechanisms that underlie risk perception and can be applied to converting part-time belt users to full-time users. The overall goal of this cooperative agreement is to develop testable strategies, based on basic and applied research, for influencing risk perception to move motor vehicle occupants from part-time to full-time use of seat belts. Specific topics covered in this literature review are: individual belt user characteristics; social influences on belt use; applications from research on other risky behaviors; policy/enforcement/incentive; communication and education; and technology. Conclusions are drawn within each section and for the review overall.