Safety belts in motor cars : an assesment of their effectiveness

Abstract- A 55 per cent reduction in injuries has been found for a small sample in which safety belts were worn. Corresponding estimates in other countries arel U.S.!. - 60 per cent and 35 per cent, Sweden -70 per cent. Regional surveys have shown that the percentage of cars fitted with belts arel U.K. -5~, U.S.}.. -~ and Sweden- 25. A high correlation has been fo~~d between a damage index, obtained by ~utti~ ~eightB to the deformations sustained by cars in accidents, and the resulting degree of injury. The chance of escaping injury increaBes with car weight for cars having the same Damage Index, but is independent of weight for cars having the same Damage Index/car weight ratioo A high correlation is obtain8d botween this ratio and the change in kinetic energy per unit mass for cars in experimental impaotso For cars with the same Damage Index/car weight ratio the risk of injury was higher for a those ejected than for those who were not, b passengers than for drivers, c those not wearing safety belts than for those who were.