In a study of seat belt wearing amongst vehicle drivers, wearing rates for light vehicle drivers in NSW are well over 90% but the rates of seatbelt use by truck drivers were considerably lower at around 75%.
Some of the main findings of the report were:
- There are some false beliefs that seatbelts reduce driver safety
- The comfort and design of seatbelts is an issue that can prevent use
- The threat of enforcement is a strong motivator of seatbelt use. Trucking companies could consider workplace-based enforcement to increase wearing rates.
- Improvements are needed in the promotion of seatbelt use by the heavy vehicle industry
Reference: Mooren and Williamson (2013), Literature review of heavy vehicle driver seatbelt use, Transport and Road Safety (TARS) Research.