An analysis of accidents studied by LAB shows that, among injured belted drivers involved in frontal crashes, in cars without airbags, head injury risk is highest along with lower limbs. The LAB investigation of severe accidents, involving new car models, regularly carried out all over the French territory, has given the opportunity to analyse head injury risks for about 300 belted drivers in crashes with activated airbags. The average severity of these accidents was in the range of EuroNCAP tests (between 36 and 65 km/h EES). The risk of head injury for belted drivers with and without airbag is compared. Other body area injury risk, like neck and upper limbs was also considered. High airbag efficiency in reducing severe facial and brain injuries was found.
Samenvatting