Effects of a selective traffic enforcement program on seat belt usage.

Assessed the effect of a program that consisted of increased enforcement of the seat belt legislation and publication of this enforcement. It was predicted that during the program, there would be increases in seat belt usage and subjective probability of being apprehended in the experimental city, whereas there would be no changes in these variables in the control city. Seat belt usage (N?=?23,910) and telephone (N?=?1,738) surveys were conducted before, during, 1 mo after, and 6 mo after the program in both cities. In the experimental city, observed belt usage increased from 58 to 80% during the program, dropping to 70% 6 mo after the program. In the control city, an increase in subjective probability was observed, but there was no increase in belt usage noted. The role of subjective probability as a mediator of the effect of enforcement on driver behavior is discussed. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Estimates of motor vehicle seat belt effectiveness and use: implications for occupant crash protection

Estimates of the effectiveness of seat belts, when used, in reducing motor vehicle occupant deaths vary widely. A recently publicized claim by one analyst that seat belts reduce vehicle occupant deaths 70-80 per cent is based on studies found to contain fundamental systematic error. Deaths occur only 50 per cent less often to belted compared to nonbelted vehicle occupants in crashes, according to previously unanalyzed data from three U.S. states during recent years. New belt systems would be about 60 per cent effective with 100 per cent use. But surveys of observed belt use in 1975 U.S. cars indicate that two-thirds of drivers were not using belts. Prospects for widespread adoption and enforcement of belt use laws in the U.S. are not encouraging. Substantial reductions in fatal and other injuries would result from the adoption of requirements mandating automatic (passive) protection for front seat occupants in crashes with forward decelerations.     

Legislation and the prediction of reported seat belt use.

Examined differences between jurisdictions with seat belt use laws and jurisdictions without such laws in the relative importance of factors that influence reported seat belt use. 2,047 Canadians, aged 16 yrs and older, were interviewed personally about their attitudes toward and use of seat belts. Multiple regression analyses performed separately for Ss in the 2 types of jurisdiction revealed that, for both groups, the major predictors of reported seat belt use (past and intended) were attitudes toward seat belt use, normative pressure from friends and family to wear belts, and favorability toward seat belt use laws. Up to 53% of the variance in reported seat belt use was accounted for by these factors and the presence of a seat belt law. Implications for public education programs to promote seat belt use are discussed. (18 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Promoting safety belt use at industrial sites: An effective program for blue collar employees.

Evaluated an incentive program applicable for large-scale motivation of safety belt wearing at 2 industries (with 300–500 employees each) where it was possible to compare the safety belt use of blue collar (BC) vs white collar (WC) employees. At one plant, incentives were preceded by a 20-min awareness session for BC Ss, which involved group discussions of assets and liabilities of safety belts. The baseline rate of seat belt usage was similar at each plant but was significantly lower for BC (6%) than for WC (18%) Ss. At the plant not receiving group awareness sessions, safety belt use doubled during the 5-mo incentive period (with mean usage of 13% for BC Ss and 32% for WC Ss). The awareness session tripled the BC safety belt use (to 21% mean belt use over a 1-mo period). During the subsequent 5-wk incentive period, mean safety belt use was 41.7% for BC Ss and 35.9% for WC Ss. Safety belt wearing decreased substantially after the incentive program was withdrawn but only returned to the initial baseline level for the BC Ss who had not received the awareness sessions. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of an enforcement program to reduce tobacco sales to minors

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated an active enforcement program to increase retailers' compliance with the law prohibiting tobacco sales to minors. METHODS: Tobacco sales to minors were monitored in 319 outlets in 6 pairs of communities in Erie County, New York. One community in each pair was randomly assigned to an enforcement intervention. RESULTS: Retailers' compliance with the law increased from 35% in 1994 to 73% in 1995. However, the change in compliance rates was roughly the same for stores in the enforcement and nonenforcement communities. CONCLUSIONS: Active compliance checking of retail outlets as a strategy to reduce illegal tobacco sales to minors may only be necessary insofar as it contributes to an increase in retailers' perception that the threat of enforcement is real.     

Flow-injection analysis of cobalt(II) utilizing enhanced lophine chemiluminescence with hydroxylammonium chloride

This study was designed to look at General Practitioner's knowledge of and attitudes to the use of seat belts in pregnancy. It has been shown that correct seat belt use does significantly reduce both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality following RTAs. However, seat belts are infrequently and often incorrectly utilised by women during pregnancy. Passenger safety education is essential. General Practitioners in Ireland are in a prime position to provide this education in early pregnancy. A postal questionnaire was sent to all members of ICGP (n = 1,780). The results show that 70% of GPs are aware that women are obliged by law to use a seat belt while pregnant, and a similar number felt the subject of passenger safety education is an important medical issue. 75% feel women should wear seat belts in third trimester. However, only 30% provide regular advice and less than 50% indicated that they are aware of the correct advice to give. Also GPs are not asked by their pregnant patients for advice. There is no statistically significant difference between male and female GPs. GPs have the opportunity to and so should provide passenger safety advice. This advice must be accurate and safe.     

Variable cerebral responses to equally distinct deviance in four auditory dimensions: a mismatch negativity study

This paper uses regression models to investigate the efficacy of the seat belt regulation as well as the circuit training and testing system in reducing traffic related fatalities in Singapore. The effectiveness of alcohol breathalysers was also studied. Results suggest that the seat belt regulation does not have any impact on traffic fatalities. The use of breathalysers was found to be effective in reducing occupant fatalities. The circuit training and testing system, which aims to equip new pools of motorists with appropriate driving or riding skills, was found to be effective in reducing non-occupant fatalities and total fatalities.     

Seat belts: Opinion effects of law-induced use.

A questionnaire measuring the experience factors Discomfort, Worry, Risk, Effect, and Inconvenience when wearing seat belts was administered to 526 car owners who were from the same population for which the questionnaire had been constructed (G. Fhaner and M. Hane, 1974). A comparison of the groups indicated that the law of compulsory seat belt use had generally brought about more positive opinions regarding use of seat belts. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Seat belts: Changing usage by changing beliefs.

Tested a model to predict seat belt use, based on a linear combination of (a) beliefs about discomfort when wearing a seat belt and (b) beliefs about injury reducing effects of seat belts. 154 employees of a large steel company, nonusers of seat belts, were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 groups receiving one or a combination of the following treatments: (a) verbal information stressing the role of seat belts in reducing injury, (b) nonverbal practice in seat belt use, (c) verbal information irrelevant to seat belt use, or (d) no treatment. Groups receiving seat belt information had the most favorable posttest beliefs and displayed the greatest increase in seat belt usage, although the effects generally decreased over time. The Discomfort (D) factor and the model (D * E) were equally predictive, while the Effect (E) factor was predictive only at low values. A multiplicative model is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mental health centers and the criminal justice system

Through questionnaires, interviews, and site visits, the authors undertook to ascertain to what extent the 26 community mental health centers in Kansas were contributing to the resolution of problems that concern the criminal justice system. They found that in all large communities some reciprocal programs have developed between the two systems, but meaningful collaboration is rare in small communities. Juvenile courts, urban law enforcement agencies, and county probation officers are most receptive to collaborative programs. An evaluation of several effective programs revealed three basic conditions that attribute to their success: an urban community setting, individual initiative by staff from each system, and location of the program within the criminal justice system.     

Seat belts and pregnancy

The best safety for the mother and her unborn child while driving a car is the proper use of a seat belt. Only a correctly constructed and fitted lap-shoulder safety harness should be used. The instruction to wear a seat belt and to wear it correctly should be part of the pregnancy-care-program for each physician.     

Nighttime observations of safety belt use: an evaluation of California's primary law

OBJECTIVES: An analysis was conducted to determine what effect California's change to a primary safety belt law had on safety belt use among nighttime weekend drivers. METHODS: Observations of 18,469 drivers in 2 California communities were made during voluntary roadside surveys conducted every other Friday and Saturday night from 9 PM to 2 AM for 4 years. RESULTS: Rates of safety belt use rose from 73.0% to 95.6% (P < .0005). For drivers with blood alcohol concentrations of 0.10 or higher, rates rose from 53.4% to 92.1% (P < .0005). CONCLUSIONS: Because substantial improvement in safety belt use was seen even in a group of high-risk drivers, the injury reduction benefits of this law may be high.     

Long-term effectiveness of selective traffic enforcement programs for increasing seat belt use.

Evaluated the effect of selective traffic enforcement programs (STEPs) on seat belt use (SBU) and motor vehicle accident insurance casualties in Canada, where SBU is legislated in certain provinces. To examine whether SBU 2 yrs after an STEP would be above the pre-STEP level and whether the increase in SBU induced by an STEP would result in a reduction of accident casualties, a series of 6 SBU surveys (totaling 32,660 observations of drivers) was conducted in an area where 3 STEPs were implemented during a 12-mo period and in a control community. Archival data were used to examine the impact of the STEPs on accident casualties. Findings show that SBU 2 yrs after an initial STEP was significantly above baseline usage and that of the control community. Subsequent STEPs significantly increased SBU from 66 to 84%, and driver casualties declined by 14% subsequent to the STEPs. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obstructive intestinal herniation due to improper use of a seat belt: a case report

The term "seat belt syndrome" has been used to describe injuries to the abdominal viscera caused by seat belts during car accidents. These injuries are usually sustained as a result of the rapid deceleration that occurs in front-end collisions, with the consequent compression of the abdominal viscera. The spectrum of injuries includes intestinal perforation or stenosis, mesenteric disruption, and lumbar fracture-dislocation. We present an uncommon case of obstructive herniation in a 2-year-old girl which we believe was due to improper use of a seat belt.     

Mental health consultant to law enforcement: Secret Service development of a Mental Health Liaison Program

The Mental Health Liaison Program developed and used by the Secret Service is presented as a model for comprehensive, multidimensional interactions between law enforcement and mental health systems, with particular focus on assessing and preventing violent behavior. The structure of the program pairs consultants--psychologists and psychiatrists--with Secret Service field offices to provide (a) consultation regarding risk assessment and case management of individuals who threaten or display inappropriate interest in the President or other protectees; (b) training for agents on risk assessment, mental illness, and mental health care issues; and (c) liaison activities between the Secret Service and the mental health community. Practical benefits to the Secret Service are discussed to encourage more systematic use of broad based psychological and psychiatric consultation to law enforcement, with a goal of enhanced intersystem communication and collaboration. The need for program evaluation and outcome research is discussed in the context of applying the model to improve other mental health and law enforcement systems interactions.     

Seat belt-related injury to the common iliac artery: case report and review of the literature

Blunt trauma to the common iliac artery is a rare phenomenon. Although seat belt injuries to the abdominal aorta and the carotid artery have been reported, there is only one previous report in the literature of seat belt injury to the common iliac artery. We report a case of common iliac arterial injury directly related to use of the lap belt and not associated with pelvic or lumbar fractures. The literature related to blunt trauma of the common iliac artery is reviewed.     

Immediate family crisis intervention as preventive mental health: The family consultant service.

The service employs mental health personnel who work closely with the police in order to respond immediately to family-related crises. This paper reports a preliminary evaluation of the program with respect to 5 issues: (a) whether the program is redundant with existing community services, (b) the advantages of early intervention approaches, (c) whether the program is a preventative service to any degree, (d) the evaluation of the program by the police and social agencies, and (e) whether cooperation between mental health and law enforcement professionals is enhanced. Available data collected over a 2-yr period concerning these 5 issues indicated the success of the program. It is concluded that it can serve as a model for community prevention approaches to family crises and mental health problems. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Patterns of injury in belted and unbelted individuals presenting to a trauma center after motor vehicle crash: seat belt syndrome revisited

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Investigators have described a "seat belt syndrome" consisting variously of injuries to the lumbar or cervical spine, abdominal contents, or all 3. In this study we sought to identify these and any other patterns of injury associated with seat belt use in patients who presented to a trauma center after a motor vehicle crash. METHODS: The charts of all patients involved in motor vehicle crashes who presented as trauma alerts to the study institution between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 1993, were retrospectively reviewed for data regarding belt use and 35 specific injuries in 7 body regions. We calculated the positive likelihood ratio of injury between belted and unbelted patients, along with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: We identified 1,124 patients involved in motor vehicle crashes. Of these subjects, 376 were belted and 544 unbelted; in 204 belt status was unknown. Belted patients were more likely to have sustained sternal fracture than were unbelted patients (4% versus .7%; positive likelihood ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 3.29) but were less likely to have sustained head injury (30.6% versus 46.0%; positive likelihood ratio, .67; 95% confidence interval, .53 to .83). We noted no statistically significant differences in the rates of other specific injuries, including cervical and lumbar fractures and the need for abdominal surgery. CONCLUSION: Severe injuries of all types occur in both belted and unbelted individuals involved in motor vehicle crashes who present to a typical trauma center. With the exception of sternal fractures, injuries previously associated with the seat belt syndrome occurred in similar proportions of belted and unbelted patients. Head injuries were less frequent. Seat belt use cannot serve as a discriminator for specific injury. A diligent search of all body regions is indicated in both belted and unbelted patients.     

Injuries in restrained motor vehicle accident victims

Passenger restraints reduce fatalities and serious injuries. Restraint systems alter the distribution of injuries seen in accident victims, and they cause a number of injuries. The distribution of injuries is dependent on the type of restraint. Automatic motorized shoulder belts are being used without the accompanying manual lap belt. This greatly reduces the effectiveness of the system and is equal to the two-point shoulder belt of the 1960s. Airbag injuries include abrasions to the face, neck, and chest; minor burns to the upper extremities; and chemical keratitis. Airbags have been shown to reduce injuries overall, especially when used in conjunction with a lap and shoulder belt. Elderly patients incur more rib and sternal fractures due to seat belts than do younger patients. Nevertheless, restraint systems are effective at reducing serious internal injuries in this population. Children who are too large for child safety seats but too small for adult seat belts are at increased risk for injury. Improvement in restraint systems for children in this age range is recommended. All pregnant women should be encouraged to wear seat belts because they reduce maternal injuries, and there is no evidence that they increase the risk of fetal loss. In view of the injury reduction associated with passenger restraint systems, emergency physicians should emphasize to their patients the importance of wearing seat belts.     

Interactions between mental health and law enforcement systems: problems and prospects for cooperation

This article examines the challenges posed by system specialization, as illustrated by the difficulties of coordinating the roles of the mental health and law enforcement agencies working with people with severe mental illness. Dealing with the needs of clients in one system when they are most appropriately served by the other may make both law enforcement and mental health systems appear ineffective and inefficient. This could increase the incidence of disorderly or violent behavior, which forments the myth that the seriously mentally ill are inherently dangerous. Despite the evident need to manage these issues, conventional methods of coordinating services have failed. This article concludes by developing a contracting model that creates more appropriate incentives for the two systems and bridges the gap between them.