Failure to Use Seat Belts in the United States: The 1981-1983 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys

Although seat belt use could prevent thousands of highway deaths and save billions of dollars annually, most Americans do not routinely buckle up. To understand better this phenomenon and other health-related behaviors, 28 states, the District of Columbia, and the Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, surveyed over 22,000 US adults from 1981 through 1983. Overall, 76% of US adults reported not using seat belts. Blacks, 18- to 24-year-olds, persons with no more than a high school education, and persons with other risk behaviors (especially drunk driving) were least likely to use seat belts. Legislation by the states and education by physicians can increase seat belt use and reduce morbidity and mortality due to motor vehicle collisions. ( JAMA 1986;255:2459-2462)