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SEAT BELT OBSERVATION SURVEYS
Every year the SJTSA
partners with the SJTPO to fund a seat belt observational survey. The
survey is based on the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) and
is meant to be a “snapshot” of the seat belt usage in the
region. It includes an analysis of seat belt use by driver and
passenger, gender, county, roadway type, including rural, urban and
suburban and then compares each with current national and state
rates.
|
|
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
*2006 |
| Drivers |
89% |
91 % |
88 % |
77 % |
| Passengers |
92% |
93 % |
91 % |
n/a |
| Atlantic Co |
90% |
91 % |
89 % |
80 % |
| Cape May Co |
88% |
87 % |
87 % |
67 % |
| Cumberland Co |
90% |
92 % |
88 % |
76 % |
| Salem Co |
87% |
93 % |
86 % |
77 % |
The data collection effort focuses on
seat belt use by drivers and front seat passengers including gender; as
well as cell phone use by the drivers.
However, in 2006, the data collection effort focused solely on drivers.
* The 2006 observational
surveys were completed during the month of May. It is believed that the
number of tourists and out of state visitors increases in May and that is
the reason for the lower rates compared to 07 and 08 which were completed
in April.
| Cell Phone Use |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
| Male Drivers |
4% |
3 % |
5% |
4% |
| Female Driver |
5% |
4 % |
7% |
5% |
Every year there is one add
on component as part of the survey. In 2007 it was a questionnaire
to gather information about seat belt use.
The questionnaire indicated that 80% of respondents always wear a
seat belt, and 12% usually do. Wearing
a seat belt was seen having a significant positive effect, as 98% said
that it could save their lives. Of
those respondents that always, usually or sometimes wear a seat belt, 57%
said that safety was their primary reason, more than those who wear a seat
belt because it is the law (45%). Many
respondents are not familiar with the New Jersey Seat Belt Law; just half
were aware that drivers are responsible for buckling up all passengers
through the age of 18.
In 2008 the add on
component was an observational survey at high schools to determine seat
belt use by teen drivers and passengers and a questionnaire to inquire
about their knowledge of the GDL (Graduated Drivers License) law and
compare their attitudes toward seat belt use with that of the general
motoring public.
| All Teen Motorists |
85 % |
| Drivers |
86 % |
| Male |
84 % |
| Female |
88 % |
| Passengers |
82 % |
| Male |
83 % |
| Female |
82 % |
In 2009 the add on component was observing seat belt use
and cell phone use by commercial vehicle drivers.
| |
Male |
Female |
Totals |
| Seat Belt Use |
71% |
89% |
72% |
| Cell Phone Use |
6% |
4% |
6% |
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SJTSA
