Seat belt effectiveness in the non-ejection situation

Campbell, B. J.; Kihlberg, Jaakko K.

Affiliations

¹Head, Accident Research Branch

²Head, Data Analysis Section, Transportation Research Department, Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, Inc., Cornell University, Buffalo, New York

Abstract

This paper re-affirms the sentiment that motorists should obtain seat belts and use them all the time. This recommendation is based on the estimate that belts could save 5000 or more lives annually. This saving would be realized exclusively through prevention of ejection-the situation in which a person is thrown out of the car (usually through an opened door) during the impact sequence.

This current paper is an attempt to assess the likelihood that lap belts can provide additional protection (beyond ejection control) inside the car through reducing or preventing contact with interior objects. An analysis of a small sample of 232 matched pairs of occupants-half wearing belts-fails to show substantial additional benefits from belts.

The tentative conclusion is that while lap belts can save thousands of lives, substantial further increases in protection will probably require use of upper body restraint in addition to pelvic restraint.

Cited By (8)

Year	Entry
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