Ivan K Ash1, Ann L Edwards2, Bryan E Porter2. 1. Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, 250 Mills Godwin Life Sciences Building, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States. Electronic address: iash@odu.edu. 2. Department of Psychology, Old Dominion University, 250 Mills Godwin Life Sciences Building, Norfolk, VA 23529, United States.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Primary enforcement laws have been shown to be effective methods for increasing seat belt use at the state level. METHOD: This study investigates state differences in the effectiveness of primary enforcement laws by assessing whether a state's academic achievement, health ranking, economic prosperity, violent crime rates, government effectiveness, gender distribution, or proportion of rural roads moderate the relationship between those laws and seat belt compliance rates. RESULTS: Aggregate state-level academic achievement, health ranking, government effectiveness, and proportion of rural roads uniquely moderated the seat belt use differences between primary and secondary enforcement states. CONCLUSIONS: This evidence suggests that cultural, social, and demographic differences among regions may be important factors in explaining state-level differences in the effectiveness of primary enforcement of seat belt laws.
OBJECTIVES: Primary enforcement laws have been shown to be effective methods for increasing seat belt use at the state level. METHOD: This study investigates state differences in the effectiveness of primary enforcement laws by assessing whether a state's academic achievement, health ranking, economic prosperity, violent crime rates, government effectiveness, gender distribution, or proportion of rural roads moderate the relationship between those laws and seat belt compliance rates. RESULTS: Aggregate state-level academic achievement, health ranking, government effectiveness, and proportion of rural roads uniquely moderated the seat belt use differences between primary and secondary enforcement states. CONCLUSIONS: This evidence suggests that cultural, social, and demographic differences among regions may be important factors in explaining state-level differences in the effectiveness of primary enforcement of seat belt laws.