Safety belt use in Michigan immediately prior to the Labor Day mobilization, 2004

Abstract

This study reports the results of a baseline survey conducted in August 2004, immediately prior to a safety belt mobilization. A follow-up survey conducted around the Labor Day holiday will provide comparison data and will be discussed in a separate report. Together, these survey waves will provide an assessment of the Labor Day Safety Belt Mobilization efforts. The survey was conducted statewide on front-outboard occupants traveling in four vehicle types (passenger cars, sport-utility vehicles, vans/minivans, and pickup trucks). Belt use was estimated for all commercial/ noncommercial vehicle types combined (the statewide safety belt use rate). Additional analyses were conducted to determine the belt use rates by several demographic, environmental, and vehicle characteristics. Statewide safety belt use was estimated at 88.3 percent in the current survey. This belt use rate represents the highest statewide level of belt use ever observed in Michigan. While higher belt use was found in nearly all demographic categories, the historical “low belt use groups” continue to lag behind others. The study results suggest that Michigan should continue to design and implement campaigns to raise the safety belt use rate, particularly using the “Click It or Ticket” model coupled with safety belt enforcement zones. Historical low belt use groups should continue to be a focus of these efforts.