Self-reported factors that influence rear seat belt use among adults. 2019

Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, on assignment at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Public Health Fellow, Washington, DC, USA. Electronic address: ntaylor1252@gmail.com.

While seat belt use among front seat occupants has significantly increased overtime a substantial usage gap still exists between front and back seat occupants. This study aims to identify factors that predict rear seat belt use among adult back seat passengers. We examined data from the 2016 Motor Vehicle Occupant Safety Survey, conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to determine the influence of front seat belt use, support of and belief of rear seat belt use laws, peer perception of seat belt use, nighttime belt use, and demographic factors on self-reported rear seat belt use. Rao-Scott chi-squared tests were used to determine significant associations between self-reported rear belt use and each predictor. Multivariate logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios and determine the influence of significant predictors on rear seat belt use. Sampling weights were applied to produce nationally representative estimates; all statistical significance tests accounted for the complex survey design. Among adults who reported riding in the back seat, 63% reported always using a rear seat belt. Front seat belt use, support and belief of state seat belt laws, nighttime seat belt use, age, and education were significantly associated with rear seat belt use. Multivariate regression results showed that adults who supported rear seat belt laws, reported front seat belt use and believed their state has a rear seat belt law were significantly more likely to report full-time use in the back seat. Seat belt laws and front seat belt use had the strongest association with reporting full-time use in the back seat. Practical Applications: Increasing familiarity with existing laws directed towards rear seat belt use as well as increasing awareness about the benefits of seat belts in all seating positions may help improve rear seat belt use.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000067074 Peer Influence The effect or sway that a PEER GROUP exerts on the beliefs, value systems and behavior of each member of a group. The social expectations for individuals to conform to peer group influence is known as peer pressure. Peer Pressure,Influence, Peer,Pressure, Peer
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000367 Age Factors Age as a constituent element or influence contributing to the production of a result. It may be applicable to the cause or the effect of a circumstance. It is used with human or animal concepts but should be differentiated from AGING, a physiological process, and TIME FACTORS which refers only to the passage of time. Age Reporting,Age Factor,Factor, Age,Factors, Age
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D012622 Seat Belts Restraining belts fastened to the frame of automobiles, aircraft, or other vehicles, and strapped around the person occupying the seat in the car or plane, intended to prevent the person from being thrown forward or out of the vehicle in case of sudden deceleration. Belt, Seat,Belts, Seat,Seat Belt
D012737 Sex Factors Maleness or femaleness as a constituent element or influence contributing to the production of a result. It may be applicable to the cause or effect of a circumstance. It is used with human or animal concepts but should be differentiated from SEX CHARACTERISTICS, anatomical or physiological manifestations of sex, and from SEX DISTRIBUTION, the number of males and females in given circumstances. Factor, Sex,Factors, Sex,Sex Factor

Related Publications

Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
July 2008, BMC public health,
Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
June 2015, Journal of safety research,
Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
December 1990, Accident; analysis and prevention,
Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
December 1998, American journal of public health,
Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
January 2014, International journal of injury control and safety promotion,
Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
November 2004, Journal of epidemiology and community health,
Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
September 1988, MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report,
Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
January 2013, International journal of injury control and safety promotion,
Nandi L Taylor, and Melissa Daily
January 2018, The journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research,
Copied contents to your clipboard!