Citation

Fitch JC, Green RN. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1980; 24: 468-477.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Many of the performance and safety advances in regard to the driver, the vehicle and the roadway owe their early development to the sport of motor racing. Driver training and performance and the problem of driver fatigue were first recognized and clarified in competitive racing. The demands of the sport produced such basic vehicle features as rear-view mirrors, balloon tires, disc brakes, modern suspension systems and effective seat belts. The first asphalt road surface was poured in Le Mans, France, in 1906 in support of motor racing. Most road traffic injury occurs when an errant vehicle encounters a hostile environment at roadside. Auto racing has made a significant contribution to the development of roadside barrier systems. The performance and safety requirements of motor racing continue to stimulate barrier improvements.