This project was undertaken to evaluate the levelof protection afforded occupants of current generation passenger cars available on the Australian market and to provide directions for future improvements in occupant protection. A literature review was initially undertaken to highlight reported vehicle occupant injuries and sources ofi njury as well as countermeasures which are presently under consideration overseas. A mass database was constructed of injury compensation data at the Transport Accident Commission in Victoria, supplemented wlth police and some make/model of detailed inspections of 221 crashed vehicles information. for detailed analysis. In addition. a program was undertaken to provide details on sources of injury from current generation vehicles where at least one occupant was hospitalised involved in road crashes. This first report describes the findings to date and makes recommendationson a range of suitable A countermeasures to reduce the incidence and severity of injuries for front seat occupants involved in frontal crashes. supplementary volume provides a case by case summary of each of the crashed vehicles inspected. Further reports are planned to provide recommendations for other seating positions and crash configuratlons when additional data becomes available.