Citation

Mackay GM, Golyns PF, Hayes PF, Griffiths DK, Rattenbury SJ. Proc. IRCOBI 1975; 3: 20-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, International Research Council on Biomechanics of Injury)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The aim of this 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 system, and on the characteristics of the system. By analyzing accidents in which a restrained occupant of a car was seriously injured, some of the features resulting in limited protection have been identified.