In this study rates of seat belt use by motor vehicle drivers, college students and senior citizens were compared, and their attitude toward the act assessed. About a year after legislation was passed mandating their use, both age groups were observed to have low rates of compliance to the “buckle-up” law (35 to 40%). When surveyed, however, students and seniors reported high rates of use for long (71%) rather than short (52%) distances. The observed low compliance rate suggests a temporary deterring effect of state legislation, while the apparent inconsistency between observed and self-reported compliance needs further study.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
GilbertS. J.DowningL. L.GouldF. F.GuzyL. T. (1986) Mandating seatbelt use: effects on behavior and attitude. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.
2.
KalfusG. R.FerrariJ. R.AreanP.BalserD.CotroneaR.FrancoM.HillW. (1987) An examination of the New York mandatory seat belt law on a university campus. Law & Human Behavior, 11, 63–67.
3.
RossH. I. (1984) Deterring the drinking driver: legal policy and. social control. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
