Evaluation of a Rural Demonstration Program to Increase Seat Belt Use in the Great Lakes Region

Six States in the Great Lakes Region (Region 5) participated in a Rural Demonstration Program to increase seat belt use in rural areas and among high-risk occupants, such as young males and occupants of pickup trucks. These efforts, which included enforcement and publicity, preceded statewide "Click It or Ticket" mobilizations in 2005 and 2006. Results from telephone surveys showed large and significant increases in awareness of program efforts, including special enforcement. These results also suggested that the 2006 program had higher baseline rates of awareness and slightly less change associated with it than the 2005 effort. Observational surveys of seat belt usage found similar results, with a median 6.5-point rural increase in 2005 and a median 3.8-point rural increase in 2006. Statewide, there was a median 4.7-point increase in 2005 and a 4.1-point increase in 2006. Over the two-year program, there was a median 9.2-point increase in rural areas and a median 6.5-point increase statewide. In addition to significant overall increases in all States, there were significant increases among key high-risk groups, including males, younger people, and occupants of pickup trucks. Two-year increases among these groups averaged 11 to 12 percentage points. Trends in seat belt use, both observed and among crash victims, showed continued increases during the period of the RDP/CIOT mobilizations, a time during which there was very little progress nationwide.