An Assessment of Safety Belt Use In Alaska Summer 2000

Abstract

In 1984, the Alaska State Legislature passed a law requiring children aged six and under to be restrained while being transported in a vehicle. this law was amended in February of 1989 to require the use of safety belts by children under sixteen and by adults. To be eligible for certain federal grants, states must document levels of compliance with seatbelt laws. During June, July and August of 2000, ISER researchers recorded and analyzed seat belt use by drivers and front seat passengers in both passenger cars and trucks. In the sample area (which includes 85 percent of the state's population), 62 percent of drivers and 61 percent of outboard passengers were wearing seatbelts. these numbers reflect an increase of less than 1 percent over 1999.