Managing Effective Seat Belt Programs Phil Haseltine Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety September 14, 2004

The Importance of Buckling Up Increasing safety belt use is the single most effective short-term way to significantly reduce deaths and injuries from traffic crashes.

Essential Components of Effective Belt Use Programs Uniform Policies Consistently Applied Meaningful Penalties

2001 Seat Belt Summit 45 of the nation’s leading authorities on restraint use. 6 strategies to pursue and 1 to avoid.

Strategy 1 Eliminate secondary enforcement provisions in state laws.

Strategy 2 Laws should cover all vehicle occupants and provide for meaningful penalties.

Strategy 3 High visibility enforcement programs supported by paid advertising and earned media.

Strategy 4 Implement effective diversity strategies and professional enforcement practices to eliminate racial profiling while increasing belt use.

Strategy 5 Develop and install effective vehicle systems to induce belt use.

Strategy 6 Provide states with long term stable federal highway safety funding.

Strategies to Avoid TV, radio or print public service campaigns, catchy slogans and promotional materials unless they are specifically integrated with enforcement activities. 30 years of experience shows that education, alone, doesn’t increase belt use.

Applicability State laws Military programs Private employer programs

The Target Audience: What Do Part Time and Non-Users Think About Seat Belts? ACTS 2000 nationwide telephone survey Self-described part time or non-users Licensed drivers age 16 or older

How effective do you believe seat belts are in preventing injuries?

How often do you wear a seat belt?

What is the most effective way to encourage seat belt use?

Using Technology to Induce Higher Seat Belt Use A 2003 TRB study concluded that new technologies can increase belt use without being overly intrusive. Current law limits NHTSA requirement for reminders to eight continuous seconds. Interlocks cannot be required.

Ford BeltMinder System Uses intermittent chimes and lights for up to 5 minutes. Phased in for drivers MY 2000 to 2002. Phasing in RF passenger starting in MY 2003. IIHS evaluation found 76% vs. 71% usage.

Other Reminder Systems Speed-based intensity systems NHTSA is urging automakers to develop voluntary approaches Aftermarket interlocks have high cost-limited market

8 seconds of chime and solid light (FMVSS 208) GM Belt Reminder Protocol Currently Implemented on 2005 Full Size Truck Time in seconds t=0 is ignition 113 368 360 380 435 8 20 75 105 125 180 Quiet 30sec Quiet (180 sec.) FMVSS 208 GM’s Seat Belt Reminder Protocol 8 seconds of chime and solid light (FMVSS 208) 12 seconds of solid light 55 seconds of flashing light Note: 2nd and 3rd iterations of reminder only enabled when vehicle speed >/= 5mph. All warning functions stop when belts are buckled.

Favorability of a Reminder System That Gets Louder or Brighter

Summary Sound policies that are uniformly enforced and have meaningful penalties are essential to achieving and maintaining high seat belt use. Vehicle technologies can help achieve high usage rates. The folks who pay attention to educational messages are already buckling up.

Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety Contact Information Phil Haseltine Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety 703.243.7501 phaseltine@actsinc.org