Since the early 1970's seat belt use has been a major objective of federal and provincial government road safety policy, addressed by public education programmes, by equipment performance standards under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, and, in some Provinces, by compulsory seat belt use legislation. To investigate the effects of these measures, the Department of Transport conducted roadside observation surveys of belt use nationally in 1975, 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1981.

All of these surveys obtained records of daytime belt use by drivers of automobiles, classified by age-group and sex. At various times the surveys also obtained records of belt use by model year, make and size class of vehicle, type of belt system available, weekday vs. weekend, and rush-hour vs. non-rush-hour. Limited investigations were also made of passenger belt use and of night-time use.

The paper presents the combined results of these surveys, showing how drivers' belt use has changed over the period covered. Overall, the national average use increased from 14% in 1975 to 43% in 1979, after which it appears to have slightly declined. Major differences exist among the provinces, the lowest rates having been 5% or less while the highest have exceeded 60%. The paper also examines the relationships between belt use and the major recorded variables.