Citation

Walz FH, Niederer PF. Proc. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Annu. Conf. 1978; 22(1): 129-140.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Results of a one year field study on injured rear seat car passengers sponsored by the Swiss Federal Police Administration are presented. In view of the aims of the study listed below, the investigations were confined to cases with an OAIS ≥ 2. Among the 2115 injured backseat passengers with an OAIS ≥ 1 registered by the Swiss Federal Bureau of Statistics in 1976, 371 could be identified with OAIS ≥ 2. Since all accidents involving injuries are to be reported to the Bureau of Statistics by the police the sample can be regarded as complete. The accident data considered consisted of police reports, photographs, hospital documents as well as personal questionnaires.

The following problems are discussed:
- injuries: head injuries, especially concussion, were by far the most frequent injuries (and cause of death). Children sustained more head injuries than adults, but less lesions to the neck, the thorax and the pelvis. Boys aged 6-12 exhibited significantly more severe injuries than girls (p ≤ 0.0l, mean ISS 19.5 vs. 5.0).
- seating position: passengers in the center position sustained significantly lighter injuries, adults as well as children. The ejection rate of children was equal to that of adults (13.8 vs. 13%).
- restraint effectiveness: the individual effectiveness of belts in the back is assumed to be equal to that for front seat occupants. Prevention of occupant-occupant contact increases the overall effectiveness as well. Unattached rear seat passengers represent a significant hazard for the corresponding front seat occupants. This hazard is weakly significantly greater (p ≤ 0.l) for belted than for unbelted front seat occupants.