The Effectiveness of Belt Systems in Frontal and Rollover Crashes

This paper presents an analysis of front seat outboard occupants in frontal and rollover crashes. These occupants were lap belted, lap-shoulder belted or were unrestrained. In the frontal crash the lap-shoulder belt reduces the occurrence of the severe, serious, critical-to-life injuries, and fatalities in all regions of the body (head, neck, thorax, lower torso and extremities). In addition, there is a strong association between belt usage and the occupant escaping from the crash with no injury. In rollover crashes, belts reduce the frequency of the more severe injuries by preventing the occupant from being ejected. For those occupants not ejected from the car, belts effectively reduce fatalities and the more serious injuries.