Effectiveness of a comprehensive multisector campaign to increase seat belt use in the greater Athens area, Greece. Hellenic Road Traffic Police Department.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the effectiveness of a comprehensive campaign to increase seat belt use in Athens.


METHODS
In 1996 a survey focusing on seat belt use was undertaken among occupants of 1400 passenger cars. From October 1997 to June 1998 the campaign was implemented; during the campaign, seat belt law enforcement was not intensified. In 1998 another inspection survey of 2250 cars was undertaken.


RESULTS
The program brought only a 6% increase in compliance, but there was an estimated gain of about 50 averted deaths and 1500 averted injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
An intensive campaign to increase seat belt use, conducted in the absence of increased law enforcement, resulted in moderate gains.
Petridou
E
E
Center for Research and Prevention of Injuries, Athens University Medical School, Greece. epetrid@atlas.uoa.gr
Trichopoulos
D
D
Stappa
M
M
Tsoufis
Y
Y
Skalkidou
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*