INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE EFFICACY OF THREE-POINT SEAT-BELTS IN OBLIQUE IMPACT EXPERIMENTS

In a series of dummy sled tests conducted to investigate the effectiveness of three-point seat belts in plus/minus 30 degree lateral impacts (which account for 20% of accidents) at 35 and 50 kph, it was determined that with the usual belt system and the usual anchorage positions the risk of injury in oblique impacts is sometimes higher than in head-on collisions. Supplementing the restraint systems with shoulder and pelvis supports and a pre-load device resulted in a significant improvement in the seat belt effectiveness in oblique impacts without compromising the protective effect for head-on collisions. It was concluded that the introduction of the pre-load device, which is also highly effective in head-on collisions, should be promoted (particularly in view of the limited space available in smaller vehicles) and that design improvements should be implemented that guarantee the effectiveness of the seat/belt combination for oblique impacts as well as head-on collisions. Although a tendency for front passengers to collide with one another at impact angles of plus/minus 30 degrees was not observed, it is recommended that corresponding tests be performed at 60 and 90 degrees since "interaction risks" for the passengers are more likely at these angles.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Published in HS-030 722, "International IRCOBI Conference on the Biomechanics of Impacts (5th) Proceedings," Amsterdam, 1980, pp 128-38. Conference held in Birmingham, England, 9-11 September 1980.
• Corporate Authors:

  Battelle-Institut EV, West Germany

  Postschliessfach 900160
  6000 Frankfurt/Main,   Germany 
• Authors:
  • Hontschik, H
  • Ruter, G
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Pagination: 11 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biophysics; Compact automobiles; Crash injury research; Frontal crashes; Manual safety belts; Measures of effectiveness; Side crashes; Sled tests
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Old TRIS Terms: Small car
• Subject Areas: Research; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00372669
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 733
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: May 31 1983 12:00AM