BUILT-IN PROTECTION COMPLEMENTS PASSENGER RESTRAINTS

This article discusses General Motors' program for improving automatic safety through occupant protection engineered into the vehicle itself. This built-in protection is independent of, but complementary to, add-on protection such as air bags or lap-shoulder belts. The program focuses on two principal areas. First, the structure of the car is carefully engineered to absorb energy in a crash, thus protecting the integrity of the passenger compartment. Secondly, inside the passenger compartment, improved energy absorbing steering columns, instrument panels, and windshields are integrated into a system aimed at reducing the risk of injuries when occupants strike the interior; this is called the "friendly interior." The advantages of built-in protection are that it is non-intrusive and not subject to rejection by new car buyers and that it is cost effective.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Safety Council

  444 North Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, IL  United States  60611
• Authors:
  • SMITH, R B
• Publication Date: 1985-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 2 p.
• Serial:
  • National Safety News
  • Volume: 131
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: National Safety Council

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automotive engineering; Consumers; Cost effectiveness; Crashworthiness; Energy absorption; Occupant protection devices; Safety equipment; Vehicle safety
• Identifier Terms: General Motors Corporation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Interior; Occupant protection
• Old TRIS Terms: Automatic safety equipment; Vehicular safety
• Subject Areas: Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00399351
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-038 325
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Sep 30 1985 12:00AM