A study of seat belt syndrome in the centre rear seating position

Lap belts, fitted to the centre seats of Australian cars for the past 23 years, have come under criticism as being injurious to children. The weight of evidence is that lap belts provide substantial protection to car occupants, though less than three-point, lap-sash belts. A specific injury, the seat belt syndrome, to the abdominal viscera and/or the lumbar spine has been particularly associated with seat belts, and association confirmed by a hospital-based study in Melbourne. Roadside observations of belt use and Transport Accident Commission claims permitted the calculation of the incidence of SBS and the relative risks of SBS by seating position. The centre rear seat (lap belt) carried about twice the risk of SBS as outboard rear seats (lap-sash belts) which in turn have 2.7 times the risk of the outboard front passenger seat. The number of SBS cases in Victoria has increased with the penetration of the car fleet by 1971 and later cars. Suggestions are made for improvement in the restraint system.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/731036220
• Authors:
  • Lane, J C
• Conference:
  • Lap Belt Safety, Conference, 1994, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Publication Date: 1994-11

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 11-May

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Abdomen; Crash analysis; Injuries; Restraint systems; Seat belts; Spinal column
• ATRI Terms: Abdomen; Crash analysis; Injury; Restraint; Seat belt; Seating position; Spinal column
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01437305
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 731036220
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 24 2012 8:34PM