title: Assessing characteristics related to the use of seatbelts and cell phones by drivers: application of a bivariate probit model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of cell phone use and safety belt use have been an important focus of research related to driver safety. Cell phone use has been shown to be a significant source of driver distraction contributing to substantial degradations in driver performance, while safety belts have been demonstrated to play a vital role in mitigating injuries to crash-involved occupants.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examines the prevalence of cell phone use and safety belt non-use among the driving population through direct observation surveys. A bivariate probit model is developed to simultaneously examine the factors that affect cell phone and safety belt use among motor vehicle drivers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that several factors may influence drivers' decision to use cell phones and safety belts, and that these decisions are correlated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding the factors that affect both cell phone use and safety belt non-use is essential to targeting policy and programs that reduce such behavior.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, EDC 0504.01, Detroit, MI 48202, United States. Electronic address: brendan@wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Brendan J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, EDC 0504.01, Detroit, MI 48202, United States. Electronic address: jjkay@wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Jonathan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kay
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, EDC 0504.01, Detroit, MI 48202, United States. Electronic address: savolainen@wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Peter T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Savolainen
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, 5050 Anthony Wayne Drive, EDC 0504.01, Detroit, MI 48202, United States. Electronic address: tjgates@wayne.edu.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Gates
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D001288:Attention; D001334:Automobile Driving; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012449:Safety; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control
keywords: Bivariate probit; Cell phones; Driver behavior; Safety belts