Abstract
Since the early 1980's in the United States, the fatality rate for road traffic accidents has been dropping. Since the Last Experimental Safety Vehicle (ESV) Conference in Oxford,1985, crashworthiness research has concentrated on the mitigation of injuries sustained in side and frontal crashes for restrained and unrestrained occupants, and on vehicle protection. Heavy truck research is continuing to focus on high priority crash avoidance programs aimed at improving the dynamic performance of heavy vehicles in braking and steering manoevres. Regulations have been promulgated addressing lighting, braking controls and displays. Major efforts continue on impaired driving (alcohol and drugs) and on safety belt and child restraint use.