Increasing seat belt use among 8- to 15-year-olds: Volume II, Appendices

Abstract

Sponsoring Agency Code Supplementary Notes AbstractThe broad aim of this research project was to determine the nature and causes of non-use of seat belts among 8-to 15-year-olds, and to recommend interventions and strategic approaches to increase usage among this age group. This report provides detailed background information from three phases of research: a literature review; 28 in-home family immersion interviews conducted in Illinois, Georgia, and Arizona; and detailed findings from qualitative testing of intervention concepts through 96 triads among tweens aged 8-15, six focus groups with parents in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Wisconsin, and California, and two focus groups with adult/teen influencers in Iowa and California. Interventions tested included those based on new products, community and school influence, communications, and key influencers (parents, older teens). Findings from the first and second phases of research suggested there are three segments or targets within the 8-15 age range with different attitudes and behaviors toward safety restraints. More specifically, 8-to 10-year-olds (younger tweens), 11-to 12-year-olds (older tweens), and 13-to 15-year-olds (young teens) seem to be motivated by different influencers and peer groups. There also appears to be a gap in messages on seat belt safety directed to parents of 8-to 15-year-olds. That is, after hearing about the importance of child safety restraints for infants, parents report almost no information on the continued importance of safety restraints and/or how to transition children to appropriate restraint systems from infant to toddler to pre-teen. Finally, in terms of messages and interventions, 8-to 15-year-olds say hearing about the consequences of not wearing seat belts from other children their age, or from slightly older youth, would make the consequences of not wearing a belt seem more real and alarming.

Determinants of Bus Seat Belt Usage Behavior: A Qualitative Study

“…It is interesting to note that the lack of awareness about the importance and efficiency of bus seat belts is a determining factor in seat belt use on the bus. This finding is consistent with Kuhn and Lam (2008), who referred to enabling factors, such as knowledge and skills, on seat belt use. Some passengers have incorrect information about bus seat belts; if they receive specific information on why they should wear seat belts on buses, then they might comply.…”

Traffic Safety–Related Priorities for Preteens and Adolescents

“…Participants identified needs of children ages 8 to 10 years, 11 to 12 years, and 13 to 15 years. 5 Following a series of presentations on child development, injury patterns, available research, and an existing program that was identified from the premeeting survey, a series of 8 predetermined questions ( Table 1 ) were posed regarding gaps in research, education, and communication. Attendees identified gaps in, and strategies to improve, these 3 areas for the 3 age groups.…”

The Effectiveness of Different Incentive Programs to Encourage Safe Driving

“…On the other hand, one may initially engage in a behavior because of an external reward but later quite willingly take on this behavior despite termination of the reward [35]. For example, it is possible that some people initially started to use seatbelts with the expectation of an external reward and maintained this behavior even when rewards were withdrawn, possibly because they viewed this measure as important and acceptable [35,36].…”