Warning signs to fasten seat belts result in higher rates of rear seat belt use in rideshare vehicles

Abstract

Using seat belts reduces traffic injuries and fatalities. Passengers in the rear seat typically use their seat belts less often than drivers or front-seat passengers. Seat belt use in the back is even less frequent in vehicles for hire such as taxi cabs and rideshare vehicles than in private passenger vehicles. This observational study of adult passengers video-recorded in rideshare vehicles in San Francisco found that a sign mounted at rear passenger seated eye level, and that warned of the risks of failing to wear a seat belt, resulted in significantly higher rates of seat belt use than for rear seat passengers not exposed to the warning sign. Results also showed that age, gender, and trip duration did not have a significant effect on rear seat belt use. Implications for future research and other countermeasures are discussed.