Traffic safety behaviour among young people in different residential settings: the use of seat belts, bicycle helmets, and reflectors by young people in Sweden

Abstract

This study examines if, and how, the size of the community in which people live may contribute to explaining differences in traffic safety behaviour (self-reported behaviour regarding the use of seat belts, bicycle helmets and reflectors) among young people in Sweden. The study is based on a Swedish nationwide traffic safety survey with a net sample of 2854 respondents aged 16–25. Ordered logit regressions were performed, and place of residence is shown to have an impact on traffic safety behaviour. The results are presented and discussed in relation to risk exposure and traffic safety facilities in different settings. The implications of the study are considered, and the importance of investigating the way in which young people see traffic safety behaviour is emphasised.

Keywords:

• traffic safety behaviour
• place
• young people

Notes

1. Data for this study have partly been made accessible by the Swedish Social Science Data Service (SSD). The data for the ‘Traffic Safety Survey 2001’ were originally collected by ‘Statistics Sweden’ on behalf of the Swedish Road Administration (Vägverket). Neither the SSD nor the primary researchers are responsible for the analyses and interpretations presented in this article.