Frontal crashes are the cause of the majority of deaths and injuries on the roads. In 1995, the Federal Óffioe of Road Safety (FORS) introduced Australian Design Rule (ADR) 69 for full frontal crash protection which has seen the majority of passenger cars fitted with at least driver's side airbags. When coupled with Australia’s high seat belt wearing rate of over 95% in the front seats, significant reductions in road trauma are expected.

FORS has participated in the work of the European Experimental Vehicle Committee (EEVC) to develop a globally harmonised test procedure for offset frontal crash testing. Other participants include the USA, Canada and Japan. This paper summarises the outcomes of Austra1ia’s offset frontal crash test program which have been provided to EEVC Working Group 11.

Australia’s aim is to have a set of frontal crash standards which will result in vehicle designs that protect occupants both in high deceleration head»on crashes as well as “softer” offset crashes which usually result in intrusion based injuries. While serious lower limb injuries are rarely life threatening, they usually result in extremely high societal costs associated with life-long debilitation.