DRIVER DISTANCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL: PERCEPTIONS, REALITIES AND AIRBAG SAFETY

Actuarial data indicate that driver-side airbags reduce overall fatality risks by 11%, but airbag-induced fatal and non-fatal injuries have been reported. The driver's proximity to the airbag is an important safety issue. Under new government policy, drivers are being encouraged to maintain a safe distance from the steering wheel (10 inches) or, if that is not feasible, obtain a manual cut-off switch for their airbag. Yet drivers may not properly estimate their proximity to the steering wheel. The frequency of misperception among drivers regarding their proximity to the steering wheel is a serious cause for concern. The goal of this study was to assess the degree of misperception regarding the distance that drivers sit from the steering wheel. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 1,000 drivers at gasoline stations in the Boston metropolitan area. Perceived and measured distances were compared, documenting the number of drivers reportedly or actually sitting with the bridge of their nose within 12 inches of the steering wheel. The correlation between perceived and measured distances was very low (r=0.24), with drivers under- and overestimating their proximity. Drivers who think they sit too close to the wheel may be inappropriately concerned about their safety and disconnect their airbag systems, losing their safety benefits. In contrast, drivers who actually sit too close may not be concerned enough. Drivers should be encouraged to objectively measure their distance to the airbag in a normal driving situation.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/08926484
• Corporate Authors:

  ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE MEDICINE (AAAM)

  2350 EAST DEVON AVENUE, SUITE 205
  DES PLAINES,   United States  60018
• Authors:
  • Segui-Gomez, M
  • Levy, J
  • Roman, H
  • Graham, Jim
• Conference:
  • 42nd Annual Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine
  • Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
  • Date: 1998-10-5 to 1998-10-7
• Publication Date: 1998

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 418-419
• Serial:
  • Publication of: ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF AUTOMOTIVE MEDICINE
  • Publisher: Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM)
  • ISSN: 0892-6484

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air bags; Distance; Drivers; Estimates; Fatalities; Injuries; Measurement; Perception; Steering wheels; Traffic safety; Vehicle safety
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00767402
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 15 1999 12:00AM