Investigation of seat belt use among the drivers of different education levels

Seat belt use habit has been investigated according to the education level of drivers. Copies of a questionnaire were distributed to 1000 participants of four different education levels. Factors such as seat belt usage habit, restricting factors and crash data have been investigated. Data have been analyzed with SPSS 15.0 software. Increased level of education leads to increased seat belt usage, lower numbers of crashes and crash severities. The factors restricting seat belt use are lack of habit, discomfort and short distance driving. The use of precaution signal and increases in comfort can increase seat belt usage. The primary and high school education on traffic safety and seat belt usage has been serving the purpose.

► Seat belt usage increased as the education level increases.
► Belief about seat belt protection increases proportionally with education level.
► As the education level decreases both number of crash and severity increases.
► Factors limiting seat belt use are no habit, discomfort and short distance driving.
► Police perception is important to remind seat belt use for less educated drivers.