Safety-Belt Law in Kuwait: Observed and Reported Compliance and Impacts on Road Safety

Abstract

The use of safety belts became compulsory in Kuwait in January 1994 following a comprehensive media campaign. Seat-belt use increased dramatically from a 2.8 percent pre-January rate to nearly 100 percent during the first week of the law's implementation. The level of compliance, however, has declined with time because of relaxation in enforcement. A recent research project examined reported and observed seat-belt use and evaluated the impact of belt use on road safety in Kuwait. To obtain reported belt use data, a random sample of 2,000 heads of household were interviewed over a 4 month period. More than 21,000 drivers and car occupants were monitored for observed belt use at 38 locations during peak and off-peak periods as well as during the daytime and after dark. Road accident files for 1993 and 1994 were also obtained from traffic safety officials to evaluate the impact of the belt law. The actual belt use rate in Kuwait was approximately 55 percent. The rate was lowest for Kuwaiti men and highest for non-Kuwaiti women. Higher belt use rates were positively correlated with gender, age, and education levels. In spite of the growth in population, vehicle registration, and vehicle kilometers traveled, a marked reduction in severe road accidents occurred during the year that followed enactment of the seat-belt law.