INTRODUCTION

Road traffic fatalities in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) have been on the increase for the past decade without concomitant increase usage of seatbelts (personal communication). Safety belt effectiveness ranges between 27 and 77% (1) prompting many countries to introduce safety belt laws. Trinidad and Tobago introduced the law in 1995 for front seat occupants, two years or older, in light vehicles. It is against the law to carry passengers in open trays of pick-ups and trucks. Infants are carried on adult’s laps and many children are seen standing, playing and overloaded in the back seats without child seats (personal communication).