2001 Safety Belt Usage Survey in Kentucky

Abstract

The objective of this study was to establish 2001 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 2001 survey continues to document the results after enactment of a statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994. It also documented the long term results of the Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign which was conducted around Memorial Day. Data were collected at 200 randomly selected sites spread across Kentucky. Data from the individual sites were combined into a statewide percentage considering function classification, geographic region, and vehicle miles traveled. The data show that the usage rate increase found in 1999, after a few years where the rate had remained at a stable level, continued in 2001. The usage rate for front seat occupants was 62% in 2001, compared to 60% in 2000, 59% in 1999, 54% in 1998, 1997 and 1995, 55% in 1996, and 58% in 1994. The current usage is substantially above the 1993 level, prior to enactment of the statewide law, of 42%. The usage rate at a mini-sample of 21 locations was 63% compared to a high of 70% which was found during the enforcement period of the Click It or Ticket campaign. The 2001 statewide usage rate for children under the age of four was determined to be 89%. This continues the high rate found for this age category and equals the previous high of 89% in 1999. The statewide law, except for children, involves secondary enforcement. The higher rate for children could partially be related to primary enforcement. To obtain the maximum possible increase in usage, the current law should be modified to allow primary, rather than secondary, enforcement for all vehicle occupants. The potential increase which can result from an emphasis on enforcement was shown by the results of the Click It or Ticket campaign. As a minimum, primary enforcement should apply to drivers while they are in the permit and intermediate phase of the graduated license program.