Evaluation of Maine's seat belt law change from secondary to primary enforcement.

Maine upgraded its seat belt law to primary enforcement on September 20, 2007. Both daytime and nighttime observed belt use increased in the months following implementation of the law (daytime 77% to 84%; night 69% to 81%). Although daytime belt use was generally higher, nighttime belt use showed a greater increase than daytime belt use. Awareness surveys indicated that Maine motorists were clearly aware of the law change and its consequences. Survey respondents also indicated having heard both messages about enforcement and messages encouraging belt use. Focus groups with representatives of a number of police departments showed that police responded positively to the change in law. Police also reported a positive change in motorists' belt use behavior in the months following the law change.

[1]  M. Hallenbeck,et al.  VEHICLE VOLUME DISTRIBUTIONS BY CLASSIFICATION , 1997 .

[2]  Neil K Chaudhary,et al.  The relationship between perceived risk of being ticketed and self-reported seat belt use. , 2004, Journal of safety research.

[3]  B. J. Campbell,et al.  The association between enforcement and seat belt use , 1988 .

[4]  W. Evans,et al.  Risk reduction or risk compensation? The case of mandatory safety-belt use laws , 1991 .

[5]  David W Eby,et al.  The effects of standard enforcement on Michigan safety belt use. , 2002, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[6]  R B Voas,et al.  Nighttime observations of safety belt use: an evaluation of California's primary law. , 1998, American journal of public health.

[7]  Scott Vincent Masten.  Do states upgrading to primary enforcement of safety belt laws experience increased daytime and nighttime belt use? , 2007, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[8]  David W. Eby,et al.  A Study of Nighttime Seat Belt Use in Indiana , 2006 .

[9]  J K Wells,et al.  ENFORCING ALCOHOL-IMPAIRED DRIVING AND SEAT BELT USE LAWS, BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK , 1993 .

[10]  Neil K Chaudhary,et al.  Connecticut nighttime safety belt use. , 2006, Journal of safety research.

[11]  L Evans,et al.  The effectiveness of safety belts in preventing fatalities. , 1986, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[12]  A K Lund,et al.  Seat Belt Use among New York Bar Patrons , 1986, Journal of public health policy.

[13]  Alexander C. Wagenaar,et al.  Mandatory seat belt laws in eight states: a time-series evaluation☆ , 1988 .

[14]  Adrian K. Lund,et al.  Special publicity and enforcement of California's belt use law: Making a “secondary” law work , 1989 .

[15]  Neil K Chaudhary,et al.  Evaluation of the Reading, PA nighttime safety belt enforcement campaign: September 2004. , 2005, Journal of safety research.

[17]  C W Preusser,et al.  Evaluation of California's safety belt law change from secondary to primary enforcement☆ , 1995 .