Abstract
Scientific research in the field of road safety has been in progress at the British Road Research Laboratory for more than 20 years. For the past 10 years, studies have been made of the ways of protecting vehicle occupants. Detailed accident and injury investigations showed that the greatest need was to provide protection against injuries produced in frontal collisions. Theoretical and experimental work showed that safety belts which also afford restraint to the upper part of body were likely to be by far the most effective way of providing protection; this work is described.