Samenvatting
The aim of the paper is not to demonstrate the effectiveness of seat belts, but to discuss in detail some factors which compromise their optimal performance and to describe the nature and frequencies of serious injuries sustained by belt users. It is shown that the seat belt provides considerable protection for the user in an accident situation, but its efficiency is nevertheless highly dependent on the maintenance of the integrity of the passenger compartment, on the correct use of the restraint systems, and on characteristics of the system.