Seat 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. During the second approach, focus group surveys were conducted among Kansans to identify more direct human factor related issues and seat belt usage in Kansas.


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    Title :

    Exploring the Methods to Increase Seat Belt Usage in Kansas


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2007


    Size :

    145 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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