Use of Seat Belts in Rural Alberta: An Observational Analysis

This article reports on an observational study undertaken to estimate rates for wearing seat belts in rural Alberta and to compare them with rates derived from a similar study conducted in 1999. The study included direct observations of drivers and front-seat passengers of 72,593 light-duty vehicles that were carried out at 334 survey locations in communities with populations of fewer than 25,000, throughout northern, central, and southern Alberta. Other information collected was vehicle type, gender of drivers and passengers and, at intersections controlled by a stop sign, whether or not the vehicle came to a complete stop. The results showed that in 2001, the estimated proportion of driver and front-seat passengers of light-duty vehicles using seat belts was 76.1%. When compared with 1999 data, this represents a 6.9% increase in seat belt wearing rates. Although the overall rate increased between 1999 and 2001, the other variables remained relevant to seat belt usage in 2001. Drivers were more likely to wear seat belts than passengers, and women were more likely to buckle up than men. Occupants of mini-vans, SUVs, and passenger cars were more likely to wear seat belts than occupants of light trucks and pick-up trucks. Drivers were more likely to wear seat belts in the afternoon than they were in the hours before 12 noon. Finally, occupants of vehicles that came to a complete stop at an intersection controlled by a stop sign were more likely to be wearing their seat belts than occupants of vehicles that did not come to a full stop. The authors conclude that these survey results can supply useful evaluative information for seat belt related program and initiative planners in Alberta.