Correlates of motor-vehicle safety behaviors in working populations

To determine the prevalence and correlates in a working population of failure to wear seat belts, drinking and driving, and speeding, we examined the responses of 18,046 health-profile participants. Twenty-four percent of subjects reported failure to wear seat belts at least 80% of the time. Twenty-two percent reported speeding at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit when traffic permits. Twenty-three percent reported traveling at least once a month with a driver who had two or more drinks. Correlates of high-risk behaviors included male gender and youth. Educational attainment was inversely associated with seat-belt nonuse but directly related to speeding and drinking/driving. Our findings suggest a substantial opportunity to help employees lower important risks for serious motor-vehicle injury.