title: A comparison of safety belt use between commercial and noncommercial light-vehicle occupants.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to conduct an observational survey of safety belt use to determine the use rate of commercial versus noncommercial light-vehicle occupants. Observations were conducted on front-outboard vehicle occupants in eligible commercial and noncommercial vehicles in Michigan (i.e.. passenger cars, vans/minivans, sport-utility vehicles, and pickup trucks). Commercial vehicles that did not fit into one of the four vehicle type categories, such as tractor-trailers, buses, or heavy trucks, were not included in the survey. The study found that the restraint use rate for commercial light-vehicle occupants was 55.8% statewide. The statewide safety belt use rate for commercial light-vehicles was significantly lower than the rate of 71.2% for noncommercial light-vehicles. The safety belt use rate for commercial vehicles was also significantly different as a function of region, vehicle type, seating position, age group, and road type. The results provide important preliminary data about safety belt use in commercial versus noncommercial light-vehicles and indicate that further effort is needed to promote safety belt use in the commercial light-vehicle occupant population. The study also suggests that additional research is required in order to develop effective programs that address low safety belt use in the commercial light-vehicle occupant population.
authors.affiliation: Transportation Research Institute, University of Michigan, UMTRI-SBA, Ann Arbor 48109-2150, USA. eby@umich.edu
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Eby
authors.forename: Tiffani A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Fordyce
authors.forename: Jonathon M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vivoda
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D016272:Occupational Health; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*