The effects of compulsory seat belt wearing have been evaluated for the most populous Australian State — New South Wales. Wearing rates are now very high and although surveys have shown increasing acceptance of the safety value of belts, a sizable minority of motorists apparently only wear their belts because of the law. Compulsory belt wearing appears to have saved a substantial number of vehicle occupant lives, with the main saving being among young adults. Urban deaths appear to have been affected more than rural deaths. There is tentative evidence of reductions in serious injuries among occupants. A side effect of the law has been increased usage of restraining systems for young children.
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