This paper reviews many findings from the medical literature regarding injuries to belt restrained adult occupants of motor vehicles. The review is limited to a subset of that literature in which restraint system contact forces were associated with the injury. Thus, injuries caused solely by internal loadings or by contacts with objects other than the lap or lap/shoulder restraint systems were generally excluded. Head and extremity injuries are therefore not discussed for either lap-only or lap-shoulder belt systems, nor are thoracic injuries considered for lap belt only systems. The injury rates seen in a recent decade of FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) data for front outboard occupants of fatal frontal crashes are noted for comparison. (A)
Abstract