Measuring Seat Belt Compliance at a University Campus

Investigating seat belt use among students, faculty, and staff in a campus environment is an important step toward improving safety on any campus. This study utilized an observational research design to collect data on seat belt usage rates among a sample of 845 students and 286 faculty and staff members at Utah Valley University. The findings revealed an overall seat belt use rate of 88.9%. Furthermore, the results indicated that drivers of pickup trucks showed the lowest rates of seat belt use (70.2%), while male drivers demonstrated a lower rate of seat belt use compared to their female counterparts (86.9% vs. 91.8%). This study can serve as a starting point for promoting a culture of safety and responsibility among the campus community, which can have positive impacts on other aspects of campus life as well. Several strategies were recommended, including enhanced enforcement, targeted marketing campaigns, and permanent signage, to address the identified challenges and promote seat belt usage within the campus environment.