The characteristics and attitudes of adult non-wearers of rear restraints

This project investigated the relatively low wearing rates of rear seat belts by adult car passengers. In order to do this TRL commissioned BJM Research and Consultancy Ltd to carry out a qualitative study of the attitudes towards rear restraints of adults who had been observed not wearing rear seat belts. The results of this study were then used by TRL to design a larger-scale questionnaire survey. This report presents the methods used for data collection, the key attitudes and behaviours that may affect the wearing of rear seat belts, profiles of adults who have access to rear seat belts but do not wear them and a number of factors which may influence a change in rear seat belt wearing behaviour. The main reasons for not wearing a rear seat belt were that respondents found them uncomfortable and easy to forget. Factors which may influence rear seat belt wearing among adults include types of road travelled, length of journey, weather, car occupancy and relationship with the driver and other passengers, and misperceptions of the general level of rear restraint use. (A)