Effects of Different Seatbelt Reminders on Seatbelt Wearing Rates: Malaysian Case Study
Abstract
This study examines the degree to which seatbelt reminder devices work to encourage car occupants across multiple seating positions to use seatbelts. Three vehicle conditions were tested using a within- and between-subject experimental design, including visual reminder only (Perodua Myvi), intermittent reminder (Hyundai Creta), and incessant warning (Perodua Ativa). Participants completed pre and post experiment questionnaires and were observed across different laps while driving or riding in selected vehicles. A total of 35 participants completed the on-road experiment involving three seatbelt reminder configurations: visual reminder only, intermittent auditory reminder, and incessant auditory reminder. The results showed no statistically significant differences in seatbelt wearing rates among the reminder conditions across the evaluated seating positions (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, enhanced reminder systems demonstrated a tendency toward higher seatbelt compliance than visual-only reminders. The findings suggest that participant selection based on self-reported behaviour and the relatively small sample size may have limited the statistical sensitivity of the experiment.
Keywords
Seatbelt reminders; Malaysian driver; Seatbelt wearing rateReferences
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