PATTERNS OF ARM POSITION DURING NORMAL DRIVING

Left arm position was determined from movies taken by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety of 1890 vehicles approaching an intersection on a normal two-lane road. The dynamics of driving were apparent as the drivers shifted their left arms from the armrest to place their hands on the steering wheel 23.8% of the time when stopping at intersections. Whereas drivers used the armrest 34.4% of the time on the open road, the armrest was used only 10.6% of the time at the intersection. The driver's left hand was on the steering wheel 69.6% of the time at the intersection. Use of the windowsill to rest the arm varied among passenger cars, trucks/vans, and sports cars primarily becuse of differences in shoulder and windowsill height. A lower relative position in trucks and vans promoted use of the windowsill to rest the arm. Given that serious injury in multivehicle side impacts most frequently occurs in intersection crashes, design improvements of the side interior should focus on direct loading of the chest and abdomen. In addition, crash tests should be set up with the dummy's left had on the steering wheel and arm away from the side.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Human Factors Society

    Johns Hopkins University Press
    Baltimore, MD  United States  21218
  • Authors:
    • Viano, D C
    • Patel, M
    • Ciccone, M A
  • Publication Date: 1989-12

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: p. 715-720
  • Serial:

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00494240
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS, ATRI
  • Created Date: May 31 1990 12:00AM