Citation

Frampton RJ, Sferco R, Welsh R, Kirk A, Fay PA. Proc. IRCOBI 2000; 28: 425-438.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

UK and German field accident data show that European airbag systems provide a 32% and 55% reduction in Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) 2+ injury to the cranium and face when belted drivers sustain Maximum Abbreviated Injury Scale (MAIS) 2+ injury in frontal crashes. The greatest benefits of airbags were seen in crashes exceeding 30 km/h delta V (velocity change). Airbags do not appear to affect a reduction in chest injuries and they exert a neutral influence on the incidence of cervical spine strain. Drivers in airbag vehicles sustained proportionately more AIS 2+ upper limb injuries than those in vehicles without airbags. That difference was largely the result of a higher proportion of clavicle fractures. Overall, deployment thresholds correlate well to the onset of moderate/serious head injury but there appear to be some unnecessary deployments at low crash severities.