Public Transport Users in Latvia Infrequently Use Seat Belts, According to a Recent Study
In a recent survey conducted by research center "Norstat," it was found that the usage of seat belts in public transportation varies significantly among passengers. Liene Bebriša, the project manager at Norstat, has stated that the survey results can be considered reliable.
The survey revealed that 27% of respondents always wear seat belts on public transport, while 21% sometimes do so. Conversely, about a fifth, or 22%, of respondents never use seat belts on public transport, and 9% only wear them if reminded by the driver. It can be theoretically assumed that some respondents who answered "sometimes" or "when prompted" include socially correct answers or those who do not care about seat belt usage.
Younger passengers, particularly those aged 18-29, responded 'always' the least when it comes to wearing seat belts on public transport. Similarly, this age group has the highest proportion of passengers who never use seat belts in public transport. The lowest proportions of people who never wear a seat belt are in the age groups 50-59 and 60-74, among whom the majority always wear a seat belt in public transport.
The tragic accident on the Ventspils motorway in early January involving some passengers not wearing seat belts in public transport has highlighted the importance of seat belt usage in such vehicles. It is important to note that intercity buses are equipped with seat belts, and by law they must be worn. Some passenger carriers remind passengers to wear their seat belts, either by the bus driver or by an automated announcement during the journey.
Statistics and trends show that seat belt use in public transportation and among different age groups shows significant variation. Rear seat belt use is generally lower than front seat use; only about 82% of rear occupants buckled up nationally, and ride-hailing passengers show even lower rates (<40%). Age-specific data on seat belt use in public transportation is less detailed but correlates with general trends: younger passengers and those in ride-hailing vehicles have lower compliance rates.
The overall US seat belt use rate has increased steadily over decades, reaching 91.9% nationally in 2023. State-level data highlight disparities, with Ohio’s 2024 seat belt compliance being 85.2%, below the national average of 91.2%. Violation and fatality data indicate a strong correlation between non-use and fatalities: for example, in Ohio during a July 2024 period, 64% of traffic deaths involved unbelted victims despite available seat belts.
Recent high-profile crashes and associated fatalities have spurred renewed seat belt safety campaigns such as Ohio's “Hard Hitter Awareness Campaign” and nationwide efforts like “Click It or Ticket” that target low-use populations and specific times (e.g., nighttime). These campaigns have historically resulted in measurable increases in usage rates, especially when combined with high-visibility enforcement. Research shows that improving rear seat belt usage, especially for ride-hailing passengers, could reduce serious and critical injuries dramatically—by 41% and 50%, respectively.
In conclusion, seat belt usage trends reveal substantial progress overall but significant under-use in rear seats, especially in ride-hailing and among certain demographic groups. Recent accidents have reinforced the importance of campaigns that help improve these statistics, showing measurable benefits in safety outcomes.
References:
- Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (2024). Pennsylvania Traffic Fatalities by Seat Belt Usage. [Online] Available: https://www.penndot.gov/TravelInPA/Safety/Pages/Traffic-Safety-Reports.aspx
- Ohio Department of Public Safety (2024). Ohio Seat Belt Compliance by Age and Vehicle Type. [Online] Available: https://www.dps.ohio.gov/TrafficSafety/TrafficSafetyInitiatives/TrafficSafetyReports/Pages/default.aspx
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2023). National Seat Belt Use Rate. [Online] Available: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/ seat-belt-use
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). Seat Belt Use Among Ride-Hailing Passengers. [Online] Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8812014/
- The significance of seat belt usage in various industries, such as transportation and health-and-wellness, has been emphasized following a tragic accident, raising concerns about compliance among passengers.
- The science community stresses the potential impact of seat belt use on injury reduction, with research showing promising figures, such as a 41% decrease in serious injuries and a 50% decrease in critical injuries.
- The finance sector might find interest in the potential returns of investing in safety campaigns, given evidence that such initiatives can lead to measurable increases in seat belt usage and improved safety outcomes.
