Discussion of "severe and fatal injuries in rear impacts".

The authors of the paper "severe and fatal injuries in rear impacts" (See IRRD 490574) have concluded "that stronger seat back designs aimed at only reducing severe and fatal injuries may increase exposure to less severe injuries and actually increase the total rear impact Harm." This conclusion fails to take into account other design considerations which are a part of seat designs that are more resistant to rearward deformation under conditions of rear impact. These designs have the potential to reduce not only severe injuries but also minor and moderate injuries. Their analysis also relies upon flawed National Accident Sampling System (NASS) data. (A)