The purpose of this paper is to investigate occupant injuries which may be sustained during a single-event crash with known roll mechanism. The data was obtained from the weighted National Automotive Sampling System/Crashworthiness Data System (NASS-CDS) for calendar years 1992 to 1996. The effect of number of rollover turns, roll direction, ejection and belt usage on driver injury responses was analysed in single-event trip-overs. Field data can be useful in the development of safety-countermeasures for rollovers as it provides insights on the significance of various parameters. The results of this study suggest the need to first prevent ejection by keeping the occupant in the vehicle. This could be accomplished by changing driver behaviour through increased seat belt use and through technology by helping to obstruct ejection paths. Occupant/vehicle contacts should also be reduced to minimise the potential for injuries. In addition, a better understanding of the head, thorax, spine and lower extremity injury mechanism is essential for the development of future safety-countermeasures. (A)
Abstract