INJURY RISK REDUCTION FROM SAFETY SEAT-BELT USE

The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of drivers towards seat belts and the use of seat belts in preventing injuries in Kuwait. A total of 700 patients, who were drivers who had been injured in traffic accidents, were seen and treated in the accident and emergency departments of different hospitals between December 1989 and June 1990. This study showed that there was significant differences between the males and females with regard to their usage of safety seat belts (p<0.001). It was observed that the majority of patients stated that the seat belt is the most protective measure against severe injuries and road traffic accidents (58.2%). Also, there was very strong support for the mandatory use of safety seat belts (46.3%).