The fatality and injury reducing effectiveness of lap belts for back seat occupants is estimated by applying the double pair comparison method to 1975- 86 fatal accident reporting system and 1982- 85 Pennsylvania accident data. Lap belts significantly reduce the risk of fatalities by 17- 26 percent, serious injuries by 37 percent, moderate to serious injuries by 33 percent and injuries of any severity by 11 percent, relative to the unrestrained back seat occupant
Abstract