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Benefit assessment for fitment of Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) systems to M1 passenger seat positions and to other vehicle types
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Benefit assessment for fitment of Seat Belt Reminder (SBR) systems to M1 passenger seat positions and to other vehicle types

Client project report cpr1818

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The purpose of this project was to carry out a study to quantify the benefits and costs of seat belt reminders (SBRs) for front seat passengers and rear seat passengers of M1 vehicles, and to assess the feasibility and likely benefits and costs of fitment of SBRs to other vehicle categories, including if possible other M and N category vehicles. It is widely recognised that the seat belt is one of the most important and effective vehicle safety features. Nevertheless, actual seat belt wearing rates in the European Union (EU) differ markedly between countries: on front seats of M1 vehicles between 69% and 99%. A range of retrospective studies have consistently demonstrated a significant reduction in casualties (of all severities) for belted occupants compared to those not wearing a seat belt. A recent meta-analysis using the results of 26 studies found the protective effect of the seat belt in M1 and N1 vehicles to range from around 25% for slightly injured casualties to 50% for fatal casualties (Elvik & Vaa, 2009). Some studies have reported even greater benefits for fatal casualties up to 60%, e.g. (WHO, 2004). Studies consistently find significant safety benefits for belted occupants and that greater benefits are noted for more severely injured casualties. While the benefits of seat belt wearing are significant, the additional benefit from mandating fitment of SBRs is dependent on the current seat belt wearing rate and also the effectiveness and penetration of SBRs into the current fleet. For the driver’s seat of M1 vehicles, UN Regulation 16 has required fitment of a SBR since 2009 for all new types of vehicles and all new vehicles from 2014. The General Safety Regulation (EC) 661/2009 made compliance with Regulation 16 mandatory for new types of vehicles in the EU from 1st November 2012, and it will become mandatory for all new vehicles sold in the EU from 1st November 2014. Furthermore, the fitment of SBRs to all seat positions of M1 vehicles has been rewarded by Euro NCAP since 2009 (2002 for the driver’s seating position). Consequently, SBRs are already fitted to the majority of new registrations and have been fitted to the majority of M1 vehicles for some years prior to regulation. This study quantified the casualty benefit of legislative action on SBRs for passenger M1 seat positions and other M and N vehicles by comparing a baseline, i.e. “do nothing” scenario, with an action scenario which involved mandating SBRs from the year 2015. This resulted in estimates that mandating SBRs - of similar type and effectiveness to current Euro NCAP compliant systems - could influence a number of casualties over the period of assessment (2015-2025).
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