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Publication Details

Title	Seat belt non-compliance in crashes: Event Data Recorder (EDR) insights
Authors	Elsegood ME, Ponte G, Doecke SD
Year	2025
Type	Unknown
Abstract	Despite their proven effectiveness in preventing and reducing road crash-related injuries, seat belts are not always worn. This study analysed Event Data Recorder (EDR) data from 3,383 vehicle occupants involved in road crashes, across three datasets to examine seat belt use and their association with other crash risk factors. Of the 655 vehicle occupants with a valid EDR-recorded seat belt status, 4.6% (n=30) were unbuckled. Unbuckled occupants in crashes were significantly more likely to be in a speeding vehicle, in a crash at night-time and being in an at-fault vehicle. Police-documented seat belt use did not always align with EDR data, highlighting potential misreporting. Critically, 83.3% (n=20/24) of unbuckled drivers were engaged in additional high-risk behaviours such as speeding, alcohol/drug use or dangerous driving. Although intelligent seat belt reminders were present for 97.4% (n=638/655) of crash-involved occupants, non-compliance was still pervasive, and frequently part of a broader pattern of unsafe driving behaviours.
Publisher	Centre for Automotive Safety Research
Publisher City	Adelaide
Conference Name	2025 Australasian Road Safety Conference
Conference Abbreviation	ARSC25
Conference Location	Perth, Australia
Conference Date	20-23 October 2025
Page Count	3

Reference

Elsegood ME, Ponte G, Doecke SD (2025). Seat belt non-compliance in crashes: Event Data Recorder (EDR) insights. 2025 Australasian Road Safety Conference, Perth, Australia, 20-23 October 2025. [PRESENTED ABSTRACT]