Working Group 21, Accident Studies, has been formed to bring together analysis of existing accident data in support of the work programme of the EEVC. Its members represent all of the major in-depth accident databases in Europe and have access to a large number of others. This paper presents some of its early work.

A major task has been to conduct an audit of the available accident databases and to record their key characteristics. A total of 45 accident databases from 8 countries are identified and the paper lists factors including proprietary, data content, selection criteria, vehicles studied and purpose of investigation.

In general larger quantities of accident data are more likely to give statistically significant results and a second objective of the group has been to evaluate the feasibility and analysis potential of combining data from several countries. A pilot study was conducted to combine data from France, Germany and the UK to estimate the effectiveness of side airbag systems. A logistic regression model was developed which showed side thorax airbags reduced AIS 2+ thoracic injuries by 17%, although this was statistically not significant.

In support of WG 12, biomechanics, WG 21 has been asked to provide data on the types of leg injury sustained in crashes by occupants of three different age groups of cars in relation to future designs of ATD. A parallel analysis of UK and Swedish data is presented which shows the changes in lower extremity injury location and type.

Finally the paper will describe some of the current work of the group which is to assist the new work plan of WG 13, Side Impact Protection in relation to the further development of test procedures and side impact barrier characteristics.