Behavior Engineering Proposals: 3. Effects on Drivers and Passengers of a Mandatory Use Law for Safety Belts

Abstract

The rate of safety belt use for drivers and front-seat passengers was examined by direct behavioral observation during the warning and enforcement phases of a mandatory use law in North Carolina. A substantial increase was noted in belt use for both groups once enforcement was initiated but has slowly eroded over time. Both drivers and passengers exhibited much higher rates of use when the other front seat occupant was also using a safety belt, suggesting the importance of behavior modeling.