Rebecca Smith, MSPH¹, Michael J. Kallan, MS², Dennis R. Durbin, MD, MSCE³, Flaura K. Winston, MD, PhD³, and Michael R. Elliott, PhD⁴. (1) Traumalink, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th and Civic Center Blvd, 3535 Traumalink, 10th floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215.590.4376, smithbec@email.chop.edu, (2) Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, 523 Blockley Hall, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (3) TraumaLink, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard, 3535 TraumaLink, 10th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, (4) Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 612 Blockley Hall/6021, 423 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104

Objective: Compare restraint use by pre-driving teenagers (ages 13-15 years) in states with primary enforced seat belt laws versus secondary enforced seat belt laws. Methods: This study was performed as part of Partners for Child Passenger Safety, an ongoing, child-specific crash surveillance system that links insurance claims data to telephone survey and crash investigation data. All crashes occurring between 12/1/98 and 11/30/02, involving an occupant aged 13-15 years riding in a model year 1990 or newer vehicle reported to State Farm Insurance Companies from 15 states and Washington, DC, were eligible for this study. A probability sample of eligible crashes was selected for a telephone survey with the driver of the vehicle using a previously validated instrument. The study sample was weighted according to each subject’s probability of selection, with analysis conducted on the weighted sample. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Significant differences exist between primary and secondary enforcement states, including driver’s and pre-driving teenager’s restraint use and injury rates. Pre-driving teenagers were more likely to be unrestrained if in a secondary state (vs. primary) and with a teen driver (16-19 vs. 20+ years). This group is also more likely to have a consequential injury if unrestrained (vs. restrained), with a teen driver (vs. 20+), and in a secondary state (vs. primary). Conclusion: Pre-driving teenagers may be forming undesirable habits that will carry on when becoming drivers. This study suggests that primary enforced seat belt laws are an effective strategy to combat this problem.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Describe differences in restraint use among 13-15 year olds in states with primary seat belt laws compared to states with secondary seat belt laws.
  5. Recognize benefits of primary enforcement of seat belt laws.

Keywords: Adolescents, Motor Vehicles

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.