Ride-hailing in the Safe System: Increased Seat Belt Compliance and Late Model Year Vehicles

Abstract Though aggregate rear seat belt use is at an all-time high in the U.S. (82%), research has shown that fewer than 40% of ride-hailing passengers buckle up. Similarly, the age of ride-hailing vehicles, and thus the availability of the latest passive safety features, can vary considerably. Given the opportunity for passive safety benefits, this study evaluated the aggregate effect of these factors on injury at the serious (MAIS3+) and critical (MAIS5+) levels given the current U.S. planar crash severity distribution. Data from 2017-2023 of NHTSA’s Crash
Investigation Sampling System (CISS) were input to a previously-published vehicle occupant injury risk model to estimate the MAIS3+ and MAIS5+ risk. The effect of increased seatbelt compliance and driving newer vehicles were estimated by varying these parameters. Relative to the current worst-case state of ride-hailing in the United States, a Vision Zero fleet, with increased seat belt compliance and new vehicles, has the potential to reduce serious (MAIS3+) and critical (MAIS5+) injuries, including fatalities, by 75% or greater. Accordingly, a ride-hailing service which consistently provides the safest available vehicles at the time for all occupants represents a key approach toward reducing serious and greater crash-related injuries and working toward the goal of Vision Zero.