This paper presents a brief review of the design objectives and the basic components of modern seat belt systems. The effectiveness and limits of effectiveness in providing occupant restraint and injury prevention in accidents are also reviewed. The ways seat belt systems can malfunction and fail to meet their objectives are identified. Finally, expected findings in post-accident inspections of seat belt systems are discussed. The paper is divided into five parts with the following part providing an outline of the objectives of seat belt systems. The next part provides a brief description of seat belt systems and their component parts. The third part looks at the limitations of the systems and ways they can malfunction. The fourth part discusses typical findings in post-accident inspection of seat belt systems. The final part is a brief discussion with concluding remarks. An appendix provides a brief glossary of terms used to describe seat belt systems. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting