Abstract
National Transportation Safety Board personnel from the regional offices investigated 56 crashes involving passenger cars equipped with automatic restraints (air bags and automatic belt systems). All crashes included in the study occurred during the period September 1990 through May 1992. Case selection was based on timely notification of the crash and on the availability of investigators and pertinent evidence. The study focuses on the automatic systems and on the concurrent use or nonuse of available belt systems. Crash causes are not addressed, and no safety recommendations are made. (A)