The objective of this study is to develop a collaborative approach toward establishing school-based safety belt usage rates. The collaboration will involve high schools, colleges, Rhode Island State DOT and URI Transportation Center, and the insurance industries in Rhode Island.
Highway
This report presents the implementation, analysis, and results of a model seat belt survey targeting Rhode Island high school students. This study was conducted to gather baseline information on seat belt usage patterns and characteristics, categorize behavior use, and strategize potential interventions specific to different stages of behavior. Though, national and state seat belt usage studies exist, few to none focus on assessing and increasing the usage rate among teens.
1. Develop a model survey tool based on the National Center for Statistics and Analysis(NCSA) Survey Criteria for use at local high schools and colleges. Collaborate with the insurance industry to market the seat belt safety message by providing free phone cards for survey participants as an incentive.
2. Establish a web-based clearinghouse at the URI Transportation Center to disseminate information nationally on safety belt usage rates at high schools and colleges.
3. Conduct a survey of Rhode Island high schools and colleges and analyze results to determine disparities based on location (i.e. rural/urban), gender, age, grade, etc.
4. Verify survey results based on a visual sample of Safety Belt Usage at selected schools.
5. Provide an overall assessment report including the development of a “model survey” and publish and distribute results for national use.
1. Web-based College Safety Belt Usage Survey (can be used as national model for colleges or other educational facilities)
2. Paper High School Safety Belt Usage Survey with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capability
3. Clearinghouse Website
4. Database of Safety Belt Usage Rates by high schools and colleges
5. Development of “Model Tables” from acquired data for national use
6. Assess and interpret estimates for possible interventions campaigns
7. Final Report- Nov.1, 2004
Detailed Project Schedule
$34,746.00
The students will be used to gather data and produce typical tables and reports.
The URITC will work with NHSTA and RIDOT to increase statewide seatbelt usage.
The potential for other states to adopt this school based survey system is very high. Safety Belt Usage Rates by educational institutions could be extended nationally with programs and custom designed interventions. The same concept could be applied as an employer based program for large companies, however, the approaches maybe slightly different. A Workshop on the concept of school based rates and best practices for interventions could be offered for New England states and educators.
A national initiative for increasing seat belt use is being carried out under the “Buckle-Up America ” campaign. In order to focus targeted interventions, baseline information specific to high school aged students could allow targeted intervention.
Unfortunately, not enough baseline information on high school usage rates currently exists. Targeting low performing groups with specific interventions could potentially raise statewide Safety Belt Usage Rates and serve as a national model.
Safety belts, Seat Belt Usage, Safety, occupant protection, observational surveys, NOPUS, MVOSS