Studyflyer

Law Enforcement Officer

MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY
• In the last 30 years, officer deaths due to motor vehicle crashes have increased by 40%.
• Between 1997 and 2002, the number of motor vehicle fatalities exceeded that of
firearm deaths among officers.
• Little research has been done on officer’s driving habits — but we know they often
have very good reasons for not using seatbelts, including the need to enter and exit
vehicles quickly and entanglement of firearm holsters.

STUDY PURPOSE
• This research study will survey law enforcement officers throughout Iowa to identify
perceptions, policies, and practices that affect their use of seatbelts while in patrol vehicles.
• Your law enforcement agency is one of 100 that were randomly selected State-wide to
participate in this ground-breaking study.
• Results will be used to raise awareness of the importance of motor vehicle safety behaviors
in preventing on-the-job injuries in law enforcement.
• Our long-term goal is to reduce motor vehicle related injuries and fatalities among law
enforcement officers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
We will be contacting you in the weeks to come to arrange a meeting date and time. We are
looking forward to meeting you and further discussing this important research project. We are
delighted to be embarking on this study with your department and the State of Iowa.

CONTACTS
To confirm participation or receive additional information, please contact:
• Hope Tiesman, Ph.D., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
[email protected], 304–285–6067
• Rebecca Heick, Ph.D., Walden University, College of Public Health
[email protected], 309–738–2316
Department of Health Human Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health