Automatic Safety Belt Systems: Changes in Owner Usage Over Time in GM Chevettes and VW Rabbits

摘要

Follow-up interviews were conducted with 417 owners of 1978-1979 Chevettes and with 441 owners of 1978 Rabbits. Both makes of cars when purchased had automatic restraint and starter interlock systems. This follow-up study had the following two basic objectives: (1) To determine any decrement in use of the automatic restraint system, and (2) To assess any change in owners' attitudes toward the automatic restraint system over a two year period. Findings from the current study when compared with those from the earlier study are helpful in trying to predict any potential decrement over time of automatic safety belt usage should all cars produced in the future come equipped with automatic restraint systems. It should be recognized, however, that both these earlier model Chevettes and Rabbits have a starter interlock which tends to have a positive effect on belt usage while cars manufactured in the future are not likely to include a starter interlock.