Protection of children and adults in crashes of cars with automatic restraints

Hitchcock, Ralph J.; Nash, Carl E.

Affiliations

¹National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Abstract

In designing a vehicle to protect its occupants in crashes, attention must be given to the various ages and sizes of occupants. In cars with automatic restraint systems, their great potential to offer crash protection to children as well as adults can be aided by a risk analysis for the various ages and sizes of occupants, in the various seating positions, and in the various types of full and partial restraint systems that are used

An analysis is presented that is based on (1) observations of how frequently and in what positions children and adults ride in cars in the United States, (2) the spectrum of injuries that are currently occurring in crashes in the United States, (3) information on pre-crash braking from accident files, and (4) tests to determine the effect of pre-crash braking on the position of small children in the car. The analysis shows that, on balance, air bags will provide substantial crash protection to otherwise unrestrained children and adults in crashes.

Cited By (4)

Year	Entry
1997	Kleinberger M, Summers L. Mechanisms of injuries for adults and children resulting from airbag interaction. In: 41st Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). November 10-11, 1997; Orlando, FL.405-420.
1991	Friedman D. Inadequate head and neck protection of child seats. In: Proceedings of the 13th International Technical Conference on Experimental Safety Vehicles (ESV). November 4-7, 1991; Paris, France.413-415.
1992	Huelke DF, Moore JL, Ostrom M. Air bag injuries and occupant protection. J Trauma. December 1992;33(6):894-898.
2010	Hallman JJ. Detrimental Thoracoabdominal Interaction With Lateral Airbag Restraints [PhD thesis]. Wilwaukee, WI: Marquette University; December 2010.