Lightweight Versus Heavyweight-The Contest of the Future

Possible future trends in highway accident injuries and fatalities are established through 1985. The change in vehicle mix is estimated on a year by year basis. Owing to the greater risk of injury and death on the part of occupants of small cars relative to large cars, a rising trend is seen as the proportion of lightweight vehicles on the highway increases. The study assumes no changes in the use of occupant restraint systems.