Abdominal injuries associated with the use of rear- seat lap belts in real- world collisions.

In a number of motor vehicle collisions, occurrences of severe abdominal injuries to rear seat occupants have been identified as resulting from high loads imposed by lap belt restraints. Misuse of the available lap- belt restraint system in terms of excessive slack being present, or improper placement of the lap belt over the abdomen prior to the collision, has been shown to be a primary causal factor for the occurrence of such injuries. These incidents underline the need for improvements in the design and collision performance of rear set belt systems, and the seats in which these devices are installed.