What Is a Realistic Lateral Impact Test?

From the Daimler-Benz accident investigation files, 222 side collision reports were selected and ranked according to injury severity of car occupants. Those collisions which caused serious to fatal injuries (AIS 3⁺-sample) were then analysed regarding direction of impact, mass and rigidity of impacting object, degree of injury risk attributed to the occupant seating position, and distribution of injuries over the body areas (head, thorax, pelvis). The findings on direction and “rigidity” of impact support the proposal to continue using the conventional rigid moving barrier but the injury distribution data underline the need to accelerate the development of improved anthropomorphic dummies suitable to simulate human kinematic characteristics.