| Authors: | Alena Katharina Høye, Ingeborg Storesund Hesjevoll, Tor-Olav Nævestad |
| Report nr: | 2107/2025 |
| ISBN (digital version): | 978-82-480-1397-6 |
| Language: | Norwegian |
| Attachments | Summary, pdf Full report, in Norwegian only, pdf Exhibit 1, in Norwegian only, pdf Exhibit 1 to TOI-report 2107/2025 Sammendrag, pdf |
Although most motor vehicle occupants use seat belts, 25 percent of motor vehicle fatalities in Norway are unbelted. Up to two thirds of unbelted fatalities might have survived with a seat belt. This corresponds to 11 potentially avoided fatalities per year. Additionally, 5 percent of motor vehicle fatalities might have survived if they had used the seat belt correctly. Unbelted fatalities are mainly healthy young men with a general inclination to high-risk behavior, crashing on low-volume two-lane rural roads. Old and fragile people drive seldom unbelted, but they may have trouble using the seat belt correctly. Promising measures for increasing seat belt use in Norway are increased penalties for non-use of seat belts and increased seat-belt enforcement, preferably by the Police, at typical sites for crashes involving unbelted drivers. Old and fragile people might benefit from information and practical assistance.
