The effect of the New York State safety belt law on hospital admissions in Monroe COunty (Rochester) New York

States, J. D.; Ingersoll, G. L.; Annechiarico, R. P.; Carleen, E. D.; Good, R. G.; Lieou, J.; Maresca, B. C.

Affiliations

¹University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

Abstract

A time comparison study of hospital admissions resulting from motor vehicle accidents that occurred within Monroe County (Rochester, NY) was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of the New York State Safety Belt Use Law. Information concerning the nature of the accident, safety belt use and characteristics of the vehicle and roadway were collected from Police Accident Reports. Patient profiles were gathered from Hospital Records and included demographic data, diagnoses, operative procedures, drug intake and length of hospital stay.

Preliminary analysis for the first six months of 1984 and 1985 reveals that the number of hospital admissions declined by 18 per-cent. Average Injury Severity Score fell from 15.1 in 1984 to 13.0 in 1985, while belt use increased from 11 percent to 72 percent during the same period.

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