Abstract
Of injury-producing collisions with high seat belt use, some 25% to 30% are lateral collisions. This paper describes some of the characteristics of those collisions as they relate to the front-seat occupant sitting on the side opposite to the impact. The data came from a stratified sample of in-depth crash investigations conducted in the Birmingham region in the period 1983 to 1989 involving current model cars. Crash severity was assessed using the Vehicle Deformation Index (VDI) of the Collision Deformation Classification (CDC) ratings and velocity change. Injury severity was assessed using AIS 85 for each body region. 193 cases of restrained occupants in nonstruck side collisions were examined. Of those occupants with head injuries of AIS ⩽ 2, 35% came out of the shoulder section of the seat belt. Of abdominal injuries of AIS ⩽ 2, 72% came from the seat belt itself. Interaction between front seat occupants was not a frequent cause of injury to the nonstruck side occupant. Some aspects of seat belt geometry might be changed so that the trajectory and loading of the nonstruck side occupant are improved.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
