Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow E-letters: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when E-letters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wilson, R. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Wilson, R. J.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Health Education Research, Vol. 5, No. 2, 175-185, 1990
© 1990 Oxford University Press

research-article

The relationship of seat belt non-use to personality, lifestyle and driving record

R. J. Wilson

Road Safety Directorate, Transport Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5, Canada

This study explored the hypothesis that non-use of seat belts may be related to other indices of problem behavior such as substance use, personality characteristics, irresponsible attitudes and a greater driving risk. Based on self-reported seat belt use over the last 10 trips by car, three levels of belt use were defined: non-use, inconsistent use, and regular (always) use. Three distinct samples of drivers were studied: convicted impaired drivers, high accident or demerit point drivers and a control sample, all randomly selected from Ontario driver license files and matched by age and sex. Individuals were personally interviewed in their homes using a standard questionnaire. Within samples, the three levels of seat belt user were compared on a wide range of self-reported measures and driver record variables. Results obtained were generally consistent across samples, although some differences were noted. On averge, seat belt non-users were younger, less educated, more likely male and unmarried. Controlling for these demographic differences, non-users were higher sensation seekers, more impulsive, consumed more alcohol and other drugs and accumulated more traffic violations. Non-users in the control sample also had higher accident frequencies. Inconsistent users more closely resembled non-users than always users. The results suggest that targeted intervention strategies may be necessary for committed non-users of seat belts. These include modified enforcement practices and attempts to change attitudes through education. Driver improvement programs are the most obvious delivery mechanism for the latter.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Behav ModifHome page
L. Pasto and A. G. Baker
Evaluation of a Brief Intervention for Increasing Seat Belt Use on a College Campus
Behav Modif, July 1, 2001; 25(3): 471 - 486.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 JAMAHome page
Safety-Belt Use Among Drivers Involved in Alcohol-Related Fatal Motor-Vehicle Crashes--United States, 1982-1989
JAMA, July 10, 1991; 266(2): 194 - 195.
[PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.