Abstract
Seat belt restraint remains the single most effective measure in reducing vehicle occupant mortality and morbidity in road crashes. Protection of the head is the main objective in seat belt design. With standards for anchorage and restraint design established it should be possible for all occupants of a moving vehicle to be restrained at all times. The high wearing rate in Australia has not led to any significant increase in injuries caused by seat belts and exemption claims can rarely be justified. The increased vulnerability of restrained occupants in smaller cars because of the closer proximity to the car structure calls for the development of additional protective measures.