Click: Rideshare Naturalistic Driving Study (NDS): Seat Belt Use and Misuse

Abstract

This report investigates rear passenger seat belt use and misuse within the rideshare environment. This research employed a naturalistic driving study (NDS) approach by instrumenting rideshare vehicles with video recording equipment, yielding insights into seat belt usage patterns. Findings reveal that more than 64% of rideshare passengers did not attempt to use their seat belt, while only 25% of passengers were observed to consistently use their seat belt correctly. Although men and women exhibited similar seat belt usage rates, women were less likely to wear their seat belt correctly. Age and estimated body mass index (BMI) also appeared to influence observed seat belt usage. Children and adult seniors demonstrated the highest ideal usage rates. Passengers with higher BMI demonstrated lower seat belt usage on average. Seating position appeared to impact seat belt usage as well. Passengers in the third (furthest) row demonstrated lower overall seat belt usage compared to those seated in the second row. Notably, across the trips recorded, children and adolescents made up only a very small percentage of the overall passenger population (< 10%) within this rideshare environment. This study underscores the need for interventions to promote seat belt use in rideshare vehicles, potentially leveraging in-vehicle reminders. Addressing these challenges is crucial for enhancing occupant safety and mitigating injury risks in the rideshare context.