Perspective on Impact Biomechanics from Traffic Accident Analysis

Abstract

This paper begins with a brief review of the development of crash investigation techniques from the 1950s to the present day. Early work at Cornell University in the United States led to studies in Australia, Sweden and the United Kingdom and a general recognition of the fundamental importance of a detailed knowledge of the nature and circumstances of actual trauma to traffic accident victims. Today a number of countries have on-going structured sample date collection programmes which provide an important means of assessing the effectiveness of biomechanical advances which are implemented through changing car design and regulations. Notably, the NASS/FARS programmes in the United States, by being freely available electronically, have become a valuable source to other countries.