Use of Safety Belts: Enhanced Enforcement Programs

Task Force Finding*

Enhanced enforcement programs provide increased rather than routine enforcement of safety belt laws at specific locations and times. These programs always include a publicity component.

Enhanced enforcement programs are strongly recommended based on their effectiveness in increasing safety belt use and reducing fatal and nonfatal injuries in a wide range of settings and among various populations. One program reported increased corollary arrests as an additional benefit of an enhanced enforcement program. No harms were reported and no qualifying economic information was identified from the literature.

*From the following publication:

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations to reduce injuries to motor vehicle occupants: increasing child safety seat use, increasing safety belt use, and reducing alcohol-impaired driving. [PDF - 78KB] Am J Prev Med 2001;21(4S):16-22.

Review completed: October 2000