Considered in this progress report are human loss in motor vehicle crashes; the technology of occupant protection; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, Occupant Crash Protection; industry plans for implementing FMVSS 208; and public acceptance of automatic crash protection. Annual human loss in motor vehicle crashes of 50,000 deaths and four million injuries, and monetary cost of $50 billion do not reflect hidden personal costs, trauma and heartbreak suffered by individuals and their friends and relatives. The science of vehicle crashworthiness has progressed to the point where engineers can design crashworthiness into safety glass and padding and into the car body structure as well. Regulations of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration set minimum requirements for occupant protection at 30 mph in frontal crashes. Systems meeting these requirements reduce a person's risk of death or serious injury in a severe crash by nearly 50%. The shift to small cars and the growth in automobile use may cause 15,000 more people to be killed each year by 1990 if automatic crash protection is not instituted. FMVSS 208 requires that, by model year 1983, all new intermediate and compact cars must be equipped with automatic restraint systems in the front seats, and by model year 1984 the standard will be extended to all new passenger cars. Mercedes-Benz has decided to build its 1982 U.S. models with air bags as standard equipment for protecting front-seat occupants. Ford plans to make air bags available as an option in limited numbers in the 1981 model year. General Motors has changed its plans to offer the choice of air bags for automatic crash protection in 1982 models. This decision will save the company about $20 million in capital investments. All domestic manufacturers are planning to comply with FMVSS 208, and two are currently manufacturing cars for sale with an automatic belt system (Volkswagen Rabbit and General Motors Chevette). Most foreign car manufacturers exporting cars to the United States are also planning to produce cars with automatic restraints. Public acceptance of automatic crash protection is good, even though air bags add $360 to the price of a new car. Developments in automatic and manual safety belts, air bags, and crash protection for children are reviewed. Evaluation of automatic crash protection is discussed. A list of materials on occupant restraints and a list of domestic manufacturers of safety components are appended.
Samenvatting