The use of seat belt by motor vehicle occupants in South Africa.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article was to examine the use of seat belt by motor vehicle users in the various provinces in South Africa.


METHODS
Data were abstracted from published reports of the national Department of Transport. Percentage distribution and correlation of road safety variables and seat belt wearing rates for motor vehicle users were calculated for the different provinces.


RESULTS
High seat belt wearing rates by the drivers (between 75.1% and 88.1%, national rate was 81%). The seat belt wearing rates for the front and back seat passengers were much lower than for the drivers. The seat belt wearing rates for front seat passengers (44.5% to 60.5%, national - 50.1%) and back seat passengers (1% to 16%, national - 7.6%) were much lower than for the drivers. The national seat belt wearing rate for all vehicles between 1982 and 1995 was between 46.9% and 69.2%, but this has generally declined.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for the implementation of strategies to increase the use of seat belts to reduce injuries and fatalities.
Olukoga
Abiodun
A
University Interdisciplinary Accident Research Centre UNIARC, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. aolukoga@yahoo.com
Noah
Mongezi
M
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001334:Automobile Driving; D006801:Humans; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013019:South Africa