Background Most observational belt use surveys only report front safety belt use. In 1994 and 1996, NHTSA conducted the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) shopping center study. This study collected observational back safety belt use information at selected shopping centers. The data was collected at two or three shopping centers in each of 50 geographical selected sites, but the data could not produce national estimates of back safety belt use and was discontinued after 1996. However, in the early 1990's, the majority of vehicles on the road were only equipped with lap belts in the back seat and their use could only be observed in stopped vehicles by peering into the rear window. Today, most vehicles on the road are equipped with lap/shoulder belts in the back outboard seats, and can be observed from a distance.

ObjectiveTo produce national estimates of shoulder belt use in the back outboard seats, if possible both the left and right outboard seats. (The location of the data collectors for safety may make it impossible to observe shoulder belt use for the back outboard passengers seating behind the drivers. It may also be impossible to observe shoulder belt use for the back outboard passengers in vehicles with tinted windows.)

Proposed Approach Expand NOPUS controlled intersection study to provide shoulder belt use for back outboard seat occupants. The controlled intersection study currently provides detailed information about shoulder belt use by type of vehicle and person characteristics for driver, right front passengers, and child restraint information for children under eight years old. The controlled intersection study is a multi-stage, probability-based sample so the data can produce national estimates of belt use. With sufficient lead time, this effort can be added to the next scheduled NOPUS, and results will be available together with the other NOPUS findings.