Accident and laboratory Studies of Driver Interaction with the Steering System in European Cars

This paper seeks to provide a description of the crash environment in which a steering system has to function. The influence of FNVSS 203 on design is examined by analysing the field performances of two different groups of steering assemblies in accidents in which unrestrained drivers were either seriously or fatally injured. Improvements to both the method of test and the injury criterion are suggested as a result of this work. The frequency and nature of lap-shoulder belt restrained driver head or face contacts with the wheel is analysed. Again, the relationship between these findings and current regulations is examined. Finally the results of these two field studies are compared with those obtained by other workers.