Seat belts are known to be very effective, reducing the risk of injury by approximately 50% when used. Such high effectiveness is, however, based on the fact that all car occupants use the available belts. In several studies it has been shown that, in severe accidents, the seat belt use was less than 50%. In order to increase the wearing rate, more drastic solutions than information, legislation, etc. have to be used. A Swedish group, representing government, research, insurance companies, car and restraint systems industry has approached the problem by proposing a smart system that will force car occupants that normally are unbelted to use the seat belts by systems that will interfere with the normal use of the car. Different technical approaches, which will not in any way interfere with the normal belt user, will be put forward and evaluated. The problem will also be discussed from a cost-effectiveness point of view and the potential of saving lives in an international perspective will be analyzed. It is shown that more than 6,000 lives could be saved per year in the European Union if the existing seat belts were used. (A)
Abstract