USE OF A COMMUNITY PROGRAM TO INCREASE SEAT BELT USE AMONG SHOPPING CENTER PATRONS IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA

Abstract A community program was implemented at one mall and two shopping centers in Charlotte, North Carolina, to increase patron seat belt use in the context of an ongoing statewide seat belt law enforcement program, “Click It or Ticket.” The program consisted of feedback signs at mall and shopping center exits displaying patron seat belt use rates, posters providing information about the benefits (number of lives and amount of money saved) of the “Click It or Ticket” program and urging patrons to use their seat belts and check seat belt use rate information posted at mall exits, as well as flyers providing similar information as the posters. Following a baseline period, the program was implemented at Carolina Place Mall, whereas the other two retail centers remained in the baseline condition. The program then was introduced at Matthews Festival Center, followed by Town Center Plaza. Seat belt use among drivers increased significantly from a range of 73–74% to 83–85% at all three sites following introduction of the program. Belt use among right front passengers also increased, but this change was statistically significant at only one of the three sites. Resumption of the statewide “Click It or Ticket” enforcement program was not associated with further increases in seat belt use.