Analyzes of Nighttime Seat Belt Usage Based on Gender, Vehicle Type, and Geography

• Activity Number: 169 - Making Better Models for Health Studies
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, July 31, 2017 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Health Policy Statistics Section
• Author(s): Kwaku Boakye and Shashi Nambisan and Mack Shelley*
• Companies: University of Tennessee, Knoxville and University of Alabama and Iowa State University
• Keywords: logistic regression ; linear models ; transportation safety ; nighttime seat belt usage ; multisite multiwave study ; program implementation and evaluation

Abstract

Using a seat belt is associated with reduced risk of injury and death in vehicular incidents. Little research heretofore has been conducted to study the correlates of nighttime seat belt usage. This presentation summarizes results from a study of the implementation of a program to monitor nighttime seat belt use in selected counties in East Tennessee. Logistic regression models and generalized linear models were used to estimate the use of seat belts by drivers and passengers, including covariates for: program study area vs. control study area; 11 different waves of data collection, incorporating baseline, saturation, post-saturation, and pre- and post-Click-It-Or-Ticket implementation over two years of observations in 2015 and 2016; month; day of the week; 7 counties or cities in which the data were collected; whether or not the driver had an accompanying front-seat passenger; the type of vehicle observed; gender of driver and passenger; and urban or rural location of observation. The impact of driver use or lack of seat belt use on passenger use, and vice versa, also is incorporated into the models. Potential policy and program evaluation implications are suggested.