1. Evaluation of the Reading, PA nighttime safety belt enforcement campaign: September 2004.
- Author
-
Chaudhary NK, Alonge M, and Preusser DF
- Subjects
- Female, Health Surveys, Humans, Male, Pennsylvania, Program Evaluation, Seat Belts statistics & numerical data, Surveys and Questionnaires, Time Factors, Automobiles legislation & jurisprudence, Health Promotion legislation & jurisprudence, Law Enforcement, Safety legislation & jurisprudence, Seat Belts legislation & jurisprudence, Social Marketing
- Abstract
Problem: Safety belt use rates among front seat occupants of passenger vehicles are substantially lower at night than during the day despite the fact that night driving is more dangerous., Method: Recent advances in night vision equipment now make it possible to enforce belt use laws in darkness. Reading, Pennsylvania conducted a night belt use publicity and enforcement campaign during September 2004 using night vision equipment., Results: Front seat occupant belt use at night increased significantly from 50% prior to the campaign to 56% just after the campaign. Daylight belt use also increased though to a lesser extent (56% to 59%). Survey data indicated that motorists had heard about the campaign in newspapers and on television. Belt use increases were not seen during the same time period in a comparison community.
- Published
- 2005
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