Citation

Bloch B. Vis. Zero Int. 2009; 2009(Jun): 28-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, UKIP Media)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Although there have been great advances in various forms of auto design and technology, with approximately 1.2 million highway fatalities on the world's roads each year there is obviously something missing in vehicles that would make them much more protective of human life. A crashworthy vehicle is one where its design, structure, and technology enables the driver and passengers to survive collisions without severe to fatal injuries. To accomplish this, the passenger compartment survival space must be strong enough to be spatially well maintained and avoid being buckled, or crushed inward or downward, so that nothing significant penetrates or intrudes towards the occupants. With this in mind, this article discusses current efforts in automotive engineering to provide future vehicles with more crashworthy features to increase overall occupant protection.