Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Abstract
OHS, Seatbelt Usage Survey, FY22
The use of safety belts and child safety seats is a proven means of reducing injuries to
motor vehicle occupants involved in traffic crashes. There have been various methods used in
efforts to increase safety belt and safety seat usage. Past efforts have included public
information campaigns, local and statewide legislation, and enforcement of the legislation.
In order to evaluate these efforts, statewide observational surveys are conducted. The first
observational surveys were conducted in Kentucky in 1982 and have been conducted annually to
document safety belt and safety seat usage. Since 1982, safety belt usage among drivers has
increased annually, from four percent in 1982 to 58 percent in 1994. The rate has steadily
climbed since 1994. Examples of the increasing rates are 60 percent in 2000, 66 percent in 2004,
73 percent in 2008, and 86 percent in 2014. The study’s statistician will also help develop other
metrics to measure progress.
The survey methodology used to collect data has to be updated regularly as directed by
NHTSA. The site selection must be updated for this year which requires a statistically robust
methodology. Faculty from the department of Statistics will be consulted to develop a proper
survey design. Data will then be collected at these new locations. The survey begins immediately
after completing the annual “Click It or Ticket” (CIOT) campaigns, lasts for about two months,
and involves collecting data at 150 sites across 15 counties.
The objective of this study is to establish a statewide safety belt usage rate in Kentucky
for 2019. Data will be collected at randomly selected sites across Kentucky by highly trained
student workers. Data from the individual sites will be combined into a statewide percentage
considering roadway functional classification, county and vehicle miles traveled. 2021’s rate can
be compared to those determined from previous surveys and will continue to document the
effects of the original “secondary enforcement” statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994 and
the subsequent change to “primary enforcement” which was enacted in 2006. In order to
statistically analyze the data and make valid comparisons, the research team will consist of
transportation engineers with decades of experience in seatbelt studies as well as a licensed
statistician.
Status | Finished |
---|---|
Effective start/end date | 10/1/21 → 9/30/22 |
Funding
- KY Office of Highway Safety: $114,350.00
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