This paper documents field investigations of "air bag" crashes. A full range of crashes are presented including fatalities, to high speed impact with survival, and minor injury crashes. The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigative alert systems are also detailed. Most occupants sustained minor injuries. Those not wearing the 3-point restraint had more minor injuries. The occurrence of higher level injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale greater than 2) was found more often in the non-belted. (A)
Abstract