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The Effects of Mandatory Seatbelt Use in Great Britain
Technical Paper
856077
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
Some of the factors influencing the introduction of mandatory
seatbelt use in Great Britain are outlined. The effectiveness of
seatbelts is considered. Pre- and postlaw seatbelt use rates are
described. The reductions in frontseat car occupant casualties
following the introduction of the law are reported, and it is noted
the actual reduction in fatalities is in line with the expected
reduction.
The results of the time series analyses of all road accident
casualties are presented. These analyses indicate, with the data
currently available, the changes in the numbers of other road users
injured and killed cannot be attributed to the effects of the
seatbelt legislation but are in line with normal seasonal and
annual fluctuations.
A brief review is made of studies relevant to the debate on risk
compensation, and it is concluded that available evidence indicates
that risk compensation probably does not occur when drivers are
compelled to wear seatbelts.
Some preliminary results of a study examining changes in injury
frequency following the mandatory seatbelt use law are presented.
Data from current in-depth studies of accidents are used to
describe patterns of injury to restrained occupants. Consideration
is given to some of the factors associated with accidents in which
restrained occupants are fatally injured, and it is shown that the
main characteristic of such accidents is they are high-energy
accidents with gross intrusion into the occupant's seating
position.
Factors limiting seatbelt performance are discussed, and some
possible future developments in occupant protection are
described
Authors
- S. J. Ashton - Accident Research Unit, Dept. of Transportation and Highway
- G. M. Mackay - Accident Research Unit, Dept. of Transportation and Highway
- P. D. Thomas - Accident Research Unit, Institute for Consumer Ergonomics,
- M. D. Galer - Accident Research Unit, Institute for Consumer Ergonomics,
- P. Harms - Transport and Road Research Laboratory, Crowthorne, Berkshir