New York State was the first state in the United States to implement a mandatory safety belt use law. Three month-long statewide observational surveys of front seat occupants were conducted (October 1984, April 1985, September 1985) as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the first year effects of the law. In January 1985, immediately after full implementation of the law, a smaller survey was conducted in four selected areas of the State.

A probability sample of observation sites was drawn from all twelve Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas (SMSAs) and four rural counties in New York State. Observations of safety belt use were conducted on all types of roadways, in moving traffic and at controlled intersections, on all days of the week, between the hours of 8:​00 a.m. and 5:​00 p.m. Additional observations were conducted at night.

With the implementation of the Mandatory Occupant Restraint Law, there was a substantial increase in safety restraint use. The initial high rate of usage, however, declined somewhat over time. Within each survey there were only slight differences in usage by time of day and day of the week. Regional differences were a more important factor in changes in restraint use over time.