The research study included eight regions in Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to obtain as accurate picture as possible on the seat belt wearing rate and factors having an impact on the observed and self-reported behavior of drivers in BIH. The paper shows mutual dependence, i.e. relationship of certain factors with the observed and self-reported driving behavior on the roads. Apart from that, the paper shows that the relationship of the mentioned factors and behaviors (observed–self-reported) represents a complex issue for drivers, and it is not possible to predict a general driving behavior model depending on certain characteristics of drivers (gender, driver's age, driver's level of education, exposure) and of vehicles (vehicle age).
According to this, and depending on drivers and vehicles’ characteristics, the paper has shown that the road type (urban or rural) can have a statistically significant impact on the driving behavior model. Also, based on the results in question, one can recognize groups of drivers who most often fail to use their seat belts. For example, male drivers more often do not wear a seat belt in rural areas, regardless of the location whereon they have been interviewed. Older drivers and highly educated drivers more often use their seat belts when compared to younger drivers and those with a lower level of education. Finally, drivers with a longer driving experience and those driving older vehicles more often fail to buckle up in urban areas.
For that reason, it will be necessary to carry out further research to find certain common features of driving behavior, i.e. to precisely determine critical groups of road users which should be acted upon, from the point of view of road safety. Determining critical groups is of particular importance in countries where the population is concentrated in major urban centers. The seat belt wearing rate is higher, and prevention and enforcement are more frequent in these areas than in remote local communities where the density of population is rather low. Because of these specific features, all activities (public dissemination of information, campaigns, etc.) should be more decentralized in order to cover as much of country population as possible. This would make the effects of implemented activities significantly bigger. The risk of serious injuries of the population from rural areas would be thus reduced, especially when they travel through urban centers.