Cox, B. S., Cox, A. B., & Cox, D. J. (2000).
Motivating signage prompts safety belt use among drivers exiting senior communities.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
33, 635-638.
Senior drivers are vulnerable to automobile crashes and
subsequent injury and death. Safety belts reduce health risks
associated with auto crashes. Therefore, it is important to
encourage senior drivers to wear safety belts while driving.
Using an AB design, replicated five times, we evaluated the
short- and long-term effects of a sign with the message
"BUCKLE UP, STAY SAFE" attached to a stop sign at the
exits of five different senior communities. Safety belt use was
stable during two pretreatment assessments averaged across the
five sites and 250 drivers (72% and 68% usage), but significantly
increased following installation of these signs (94% usage). Six
months after installation of the signs, the effect persisted (88%
usage). Use of such signs may be a cost-effective way of
promoting safety belt use.
DESCRIPTORS: _safety belts, geriatrics, prompts, driving, risk
prevention