Samenvatting
This scientific poster presentation discusses the fact that detailed analysis of all the police reports of fatal motor vehicle crashes occurring in France in 1990 (5600 fatalities) shows that fatalities in lateral collisions represent 26% of the total (which are 1466 fatalities). This high percentage is by no means due solely to car-to-car lateral collisions, which represent only 39% of these 1466 fatalities. In reality, 38% of these occupants are killed in lateral collisions against fixed obstacles and 23% in car-to-truck collisions. The closing speeds and the ages of those responsible and those killed differ greatly and therefore require very specific primary safety measures.