Safe and unsafe upper torso restraints for occupant protection in motor vehicles

States, John D.; Benedict, James F.

Affiliations

¹Fellow, American College of Surgeons, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Race Physician, Watkins Glen Grand Prix Course, Watkins Glen, New York

²Chairman, Medical-Safety Committee, Sports Car Club of America, Westport, Connecticut

Abstract

Studies of racing car accidents suggest that the shoulder harness or upper torso restraint is of definite value and will give additional driver protection. A single upper torso strap should be used in all current production and sports cars. The occupant must be able to slide laterally from beneath the upper torso restraint in response to lateral forces from the opposite side of the car. The upper torso restraint should not be interconnected with the lap belt so that tightening one will cause the other to tighten; the lap belt can be snug and comfortable while the shoulder strap has to be looser to permit the use of the vehicle controls.

Cited Works (1)

Year	Entry
1962	Aldman B. Biodynamic studies on impact protection. Acta Physiol Scand. December 1962;56(suppl 192):1-80.

Cited By (4)

Year	Entry
1970	Snyder RG. Occupant restraint systems of automotive, aircraft, and manned space vehicles: an evaluation of the state-of-the-art and future concepts. In: Gurdjian ES, Lange WA, Patrick LM, Thomas LM, eds. Impact Injury and Crash Protection. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas; 1970:496-561.
1969	States JD. Restraint system effectiveness in racing crashes. In: 13th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 16, 1969; Minneapolis, MN.173-191.
2003	Rouhana SW, Bedewi PG, Kankanala SV, Prasad P, Zwolinski JJ, Meduvsky AG, Rupp JD, Jeffreys TA, Schneider LW. Biomechanics of 4-point seat belt systems in frontal impacts. Stapp Car Crash J. 2003;47:367-399. SAE 2003-22-0017.
2018	Schoenfeld M. Cervical Intervertebral Kinematics and Neck Muscle Responses During Simulated Vehicle Rollovers [Master's thesis]. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia; August 2018.