NTL Record

Title Automatic Safety Belt Systems Owner Usage and Attitudes In GM Chevettes and VW Rabbits (1980 Models) [February 1981]
Record ID 25604
Personal Name
Creator
Phillips, Benjamin M.; Goodman, David M.
Source 1 v. (various pagings) : ill.
Corporate Creator Opinion Research Corporation (U.S.)
Corporate
Contributor
United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Research and Development
Publisher United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Publication Date 19810200
Language English
Abstract This study was designed to: (1) evaluate the effectiveness of automatic restraint systems in increasing belt usage, and (2) determine owner attitudes toward the systems. The information gathered from owners of vehicles with automatic systems will assist the NHTSA in determining levels of acceptance, and problems or areas of resistance to these systems. Such information provides an 'early warning' of critical problem areas that need to be resolved before automatic restraint systems become standard equipment in all cars. Data collected are derived from 2,015 telephone interview with owners of 1980 Chevettes and Rabbits with automatic belt systems and 430 interviews with owners of Chevettes and Rabbits with manual belt systems. Findings indicate that the automatic restraint system is highly effective as a use-inducing device. Reported safety belt usage for models with the automatic systems is about twice the reported use for models with manual belts. There are, however, certain problems with the automatic belt systems that are having a negative impact on belt use. One such problem relates to ingress and egress, while the other might be described as "belt fit" or "positioning of the chest/shoulder belt." Also, it would be desirable to communicate to car dealers and their sales personnel the favorable attributes of the automatic belt system so that they, in turn, might become more active supporters of the system at the point of sale. /Abstract from report summary page/
Rosap ID dot:1323
Rosap URL https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/1323
TRT Terms Manual safety belts; Automatic seat belts; Surveys; Statistics
General Subjects Seat belt usage
Classification NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Vehicle Design;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - SAFETY AND SECURITY;
NTL - SAFETY AND SECURITY - Highway Safety
Geographical
Coverage
United States
TRIS Online
Accession No
337310
Contract Number DOT-HS-7-01736
Report Number DOT-HS-805-797; NTIS-PB81188609
Availability NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Research
Resource type Research Paper
URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/25000/25600/25604/DOT-HS-805-797.pdf
Alternative URL https://ntlrepository.blob.core.windows.net/lib/25000/25600/25604/automaticsafetyb00phil.pdf
Format PDF
Database NTL Digital Repository