SafeSpeed wrote:
Sure. But notice I said 'overall'. There are no steps at all in any of the overall figures. Those kinks in the graph above are the ONLY data that appears to show an overall effect of the seat belt law. And it's a double edged sword.
Paul please correct me if I am being thick but......
The Graph does not represent the actual number of casuaties as a data source but type of casualties as a percentage. Thus if the vehicle occupant percentage of casualties drops by 10% that percentage will be represented as an increase in another catagory, even if the actual number of casualties had reduced.
For example:
lets say that there are 1000 casualties in a given year 200 motorcyclists (20%), 500 other vehicles (50%) and 300 Pedestrians (30%).
An piece of legislation is introduced (such as seat belts) which reduces overall casualties by 100 to 900 made up of 200 motorcyclists (22%) 400 other vehicles (44%) and 300 pedestrians (33%),
Such percentage data would give the indication of a moving problem exactly as your graph.
Without the underlying data any percentages are pretty worthless.
IMHO the wearing of seatbelts in a car is a real safety benefit, without the law people didn't and would still not wear them. I put it in the same bracket as wearing a M/C helmet it's not nice that personal choice was taken away but necessary becouse people failed to choose smartly when they were given the choice.