This paper presents an analysis of rollover crash characteristics and the injury consequences for occupants. 158 rollover cases are analyzed involving 282 occupants. Comparisons are made, where appropriate, between this study and previous studies conducted in the 1970's. The study found that generally, the urban rollover is not a dramatic crash. Injury severity was found to be low to both restrained and unrestrained occupants, but ejectees were more likely to be fatally injured than non-ejectees. That however does not imply a causal relationship between ejection and the specific mechanism of injury. Roof crush was not found to be responsible for injury causation and therefore no recommendations for changes in current roof strength are made. This sample may under represent high velocity crashes as the study was conducted in an urban environment, a view supported by the fact that only 20% of vehicle rolled more than one revolution. (A)
Abstract