Seatbelt Use and Belief in Destiny in a Sample of South African Black and White Drivers

The aim of the study was to investigate the association between fatalism and seatbelt use. The sample included 100 Black and 100 White drivers recruited from shopping complexes and petrol stations in an urban area in the Northern Province of South Africa. Seatbelt use of drivers was recorded unobtrusively, and self-reported seatbelt use and belief in destiny (fatalism) were subsequently obtained by interview. A total of 44% Black and 50% White drivers (47% men and 47% women) were observed wearing their seatbelts. The majority of the drivers (84% of Blacks and 79% of Whites) did not have a fatalistic orientation. A nonfatalistic orientation was significantly associated with observed seatbelt use and self-reported seatbelt use. Logistic regression analysis identified a nonfatalistic orientation as independent predictor for observed seatbelt use.