The Effects of Anthropometry on Driver Position and Clearance Measures

Obesity is a growing problem in the general population. Recent studies have suggested a link between occupant anthropometry and injury risk in motor vehicle accidents. Adult subjects covering a range of heights, weights, and body mass index (BMI) were seated in passenger cars and asked to adjust the seat and restraint to a comfortable driving position. Differences75 in driver position and clearance measures between normal weight, overweight, and obese occupants were assessed. Occupant height was found to be a good predictor of some seating position and clearance measures, while BMI was found to be a better predictor of others. Relationships were also found relating waist circumference to measures of seating position and clearance. The results of this study are essential in developing quantitative models to investigate relationships between anthropometry and injury potential.