A comparison is made between car drivers and front seat passengers using seat belts and those not using seat belts. The study demonstrates the protective effect of the seat belt with regards to severe injury of the skull and the brain in drivers as well as passengers involved in traffic accidents in a medium sized car. The main reason for the injuries of the face in belted drivers is that the steering-wheel decreases the free space available for a reduction of the speed of the body. In order to reduce collision injuries there are three main objectives (1) to develop a preventive system which increases the use of safety belts (2) to develop new seat belt constructions with increased protective effect and (3) to develop a better steering wheel construction. For the covering abstract see IRRD abstract no 243434.
Samenvatting