What Do Linked Data Tell Us About the Impact of Different Behaviors on Outcome?
Using Safety Belts Linked data from the CODES project demonstrated that safety belts are 20 percent effective in preventing any type of injury, 60 percent effective in preventing death, and cause a downward shift in the severity of injury. CODES also reported that drivers who are unbelted, on average, cost an additional $5,000 in hospital inpatient charges. These results were derived by statistically merging the effectiveness rates from the seven CODES states into one effectiveness rate. The CODES states used their respective effectiveness rates to support belt use. • The Coalition for Utah Traffic Safety (CUTS) prepared the videotape “Stop Rolling The Dice” with CODES data. It was distributed to members of the Utah Legislature when a primary safety belt law was presented. The same video is being used in Utah automobile dealership showrooms as a point of sale promotion for safety belt use. • A rural hospital in Utah compared the safety belt use and injury rates for its local community
