Protection of car occupants against side impacts

Lister, R. D.; Neilson, I. D.

Affiliations

¹Road Research Lab., Crowthorne, England

Abstract

The different types of side impact, the consequential injuries and their relative frequencies, are given from the results of crash injury studies in the United Kingdom. The nature of the injuries sustained are considered in relation to the damage to the car in discussing the mechanism of these injuries.

A simple theoretical representation shows that the relative velocity of the car occupant to the inside of the car is the most important feature in side impact accidents.

One-fifth of the occupants were injured by intrusion of the side of the car, crushing them against some part of the interior. The location and effect of strengthening car sides and its possible interaction with the striking vehicle are discussed.

Links

DOI: 10.4271/690797

SAE: 690797

Cited By (5)

Year	Entry
1998	Guillemot H, Got C, Besnault B, Lavaste F, Robin S, Le Coz JY, Lassau J-P. Pelvic behavior in side collisions: static and dynamic tests on isolated pelvic bones. In: Proceedings of the 16th International Technical Conference on the Enhanced Safety of Vehicles (ESV). May 31–June 4, 1998; Windsor, Ontario, Canada.1412-1424.
1970	Daniel RP. State-of-the-art: vehicle interior safety constraint systems. In: 1970 International Automobile Safety Conference Compendium. Society of Automotive Engineers; 1970:1046-1056. SAE 700423.
1979	Ramet M, Cesari D. Experimental study of pelvis tolerance in lateral impact. In: Proceedings of the 1979 International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impact. September 5-7, 1979; Goeteborg, Sweden.243-249.
1978	Cesari D, Ramet M, Herry-Martin D. Injury mechanisms in side impact. In: Proceedings of the 22nd Stapp Car Crash Conference. October 24-26, 1978; Ann Arobor, MI. Warrendale, PA: Society of Automotive Engineers:431-447. SAE 780897.
1985	Rouhana SW, Lau IV, Ridella SA. Influence of velocity and forced compression on the severity of abdominal injury in blunt, nonpenetrating lateral impact. J Trauma. June 1985;25(6):490-500.