Motor vehicle crash injury patterns and the Virginia seat belt law

Article Abstract:

A number of studies have shown that wearing seat belts greatly reduces both the risk of death and the risk of moderate to critical injury in automobile crashes. A large number of states as well as many foreign countries have mandatory seat belt laws. Studies have shown seat belt use increases from levels of 10 to 20 percent before laws are enacted to 40 to 55 percent following enactment. Reduced mortality has not paralleled this increase because many high risk drivers do not increase their use of seat belts when laws are passed. A number of questions remain on how the use of seat belts and the enactment of seat belt laws affect the incidence of nonfatal injuries. The effect of the Virginia seat belt law on injuries of drivers and front seat passengers was assessed. Data was obtained on all crashes in the Charlottesville area involving late model vehicles (less than eight-years-old) in the year prior to and the year following the January 1988 enactment of the law. Results were based on accidents involving 659 vehicles with a total of 917 occupants in 1987, and 545 vehicles containing 704 occupants in 1988. Seat belt use by front seat occupants increased from 35 percent in 1987 to 57 percent in 1988. The percentage of front seat occupants needing medical attention dropped significantly after the law was enacted, and the severity of injuries of front seat occupants decreased 27 percent. Although the likelihood of serious injury decreased significantly, from 16 to 10 percent, the likelihood of minor injury or death did not. Patterns of injury did not indicate that seat belt use increased certain types of injuries. These findings demonstrate that the enactment of the Virginia seat belt law resulted in increased use of seat belts and significantly fewer nonfatal injuries. No evidence could be found that the use of seat belts increased certain types of injuries. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Virginia

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Safety-restraint assessment - Iowa, 1987-1988

Article Abstract:

The 1,454 non-fatally injured car accident victims in the state of Iowa who were brought to 16 hospitals for emergency medical assistance during a five month period were included in a study of safety-restraint devices. This population was approximately 20 percent of all individuals injured in similar crashes during this period. Of this group, 697 or 48 percent were determined to have been wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. Those who were not using seat belts were most likely to be male, younger, having used alcohol and driving at speeds in excess of 55 miles per hour. These individuals were hospitalized three times as often as individuals who wore seat belts. They were also 8.4 times more vulnerable to head injuries with loss of consciousness. Unbelted victims of car accidents sustained 2.7 times more fractures and were 2.8 times more likely to have a cut or laceration. The average hospital cost of caring for an unbelted person was $2,462, compared with the statistically lower bill of $753 for those wearing seat-belt restraints. Instruction on the importance of wearing a seat belt for children and education of the older more risk prone 16- to 25-year-old population concerning alcohol, excessive speed and the use of restraints will be required to reduce the rate of accidents and injury.

Prices and rates, Statistics, Hospitals, Crash injury research, Hospital rates

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Increased safety-belt use - United States: 1991

Article Abstract:

Safety-belt use has increased from 11% in 1980 to 49% in 1990. Safety-belt use usually increases when mandatory use laws are passed, then decreases to between 40% to 50% if there is no active enforcement. During the Independence Day holiday period from June 16 to July 21 of 1991 and 1992, citation rates increased 226% from 1990, raising the safety-belt use level to 59%. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has started a program to increase safety-belt use by police officers, called Operation Buckle Down. The program also addresses the driving public through the "70% by '92" campaign, emphasized from mid-May through mid-September of 1991 and 1992. Public education will be coordinated through regional NHTSA offices and state highway safety offices. Enforcement, public information, media events and local-use surveys are components of the local program.

Planning, Laws, regulations and rules, Traffic safety, Health education

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