Self-Report and Observational Assessment and Investigation of Seat Belt Use Among Young Drivers and Passengers: The Case of Qatar

Abstract

Young drivers have the lowest rate of seat belt use among all age groups. The objective of this study was to investigate and assess the seat belt use behavior of young drivers by means of various methods, including observational surveys, short interviews, and self-report questionnaire surveys. The results revealed that approximately two-thirds of young drivers wear seat belts. The self-reported rates of seat belt use were slightly higher than the seat belt usage rates obtained from the observational data. The results also showed that young passengers had a much lower rate of seat belt use compared to young drivers and elderly passengers. The logistic regression model for the observational data revealed that male drivers, SUV drivers, and subjects driving at night had a higher probability of driving without a seat belt. The results of the questionnaire surveys were consistent with the results of the observational surveys. The questionnaire surveys revealed that the reasons for wearing seat belts included safety, fear of getting a traffic citation, and obedience to traffic law. The main reasons for not using seat belts included discomfort and not believing that seat belts could save lives. The logistic regression model for the questionnaire data showed that drivers who believe that seat belts can save lives and drivers who attended a prior seat belt safety campaign had a higher probability of using seat belts while driving. The results will help policymakers to develop strategies that enforce and promote safer behaviors for this age group.