Results from an observational survey of restraint and child restraint use, 2009

Abstract

On-road observational surveys of restraint use provide a valuable means of obtaining information on the current level of restraint use and on the characteristics (vehicle, occupant, location) of non-use of restraints. Very few observational restraint use surveys have been conducted in Australian jurisdictions in recent years and the last observational survey undertaken in South Australia was in 2002. This paper presents the results of a new observational survey, undertaken in March 2009, to monitor the levels of restraint use by occupants of passenger vehicles in areas previously surveyed in South Australia: metropolitan Adelaide and five rural regions. Trained field observers recorded the vehicle type, plates displayed on the vehicle, and the seating position, gender and restraint use of vehicle occupants including the uses and types of any child restraints. For the first time in this series of surveys, restraint use was observed on weekends in addition to weekdays. Observed rates of restraint wearing were relatively high, ranging from 98.9% in Murray Bridge (weekend) to 96.8% in Clare (weekday). Rear seat passengers had the lowest observed rates of restraint wearing. Adult males wore seat belts less often than adult females. Child restraint use varied by region but was relatively high. Findings from this survey might assist in the development of restraint use publicity campaigns and the monitoring of their effectiveness.