FORENSIC MEDICAL AND BIOMECHANICAL LESSONS FROM ONE YEAR'S EXPERIENCE OF THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF SAFETY BELTS IN THE FEDERAL GERMAN REPUBLIC

RECHTSMEDIZINISCHE UND BIOMECHANISCHE ERFAHRUNGEN NACH EINEM JAHR GURTANLEGEPFLICHT IN DER BUNDESREPUBLIK DEUTSCHLAND

This report summarizes one year's experience of compulsory wearing of safety belts in Germany. Contrary to expectations, the compulsory wearing of safety belts in the Federal German Republic has not resulted in a striking decrease in the number of fatalities in traffic accidents. In 1975, the drop was only 1.9%. In the USA, on the other hand, the drop in fatalities was 17%. The possible cause for this is suggested as the 5.2% increase in the number of vehicles and a 4.7% increase in the number of vehicle miles. The influence of the safety belt on injuries was demonstrated: neck, back and rib fractures occurred more frequently than in the case of passengers without safety belts, but are, however, seldom dangerous. The high level of protection afforded by the safety belt is confirmed; in the current state of technical development, it remains the best restraint system. Further clarification of the protective effect and the education of the public in the voluntary wearing of safety belts is however necessary - but this is a long term process. /TRRL/

• Corporate Authors:

  KVDA Verlag

  Jahanna-Melber-Weg 8
  6000 Frankfurt 70,   Germany 

  KVDA Verlag

  Jahanna-Melber-Weg 8
  6000 Frankfurt 70,   Germany 
• Authors:
  • Schmidt, G
  • Kallieris, D
  • Kaeppner, R
  • Mattern, R
  • Schulz, F
• Publication Date: 1977-5

Language

• German

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 6 p.
• Serial:
  • Arzt und Auto
  • Volume: 53
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Kraftfahrverband Deutscher Aerzte EV

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biophysics; Crash tests; Crashes; Diseases and medical conditions; Education; Fatalities; Injuries; Laws; Legislation; Manual safety belts; Passive restraint systems; Prevention; Statistics; Vehicle miles of travel
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 2060: Biomechanics; 1602: Fatality; 1648: Impact test (crash); 2163: Injury; 1556: Legislation; 2154: Medical aspects; 9149: Prevention; 1476: Safety belt; 6555: Statistics; 292: Vehicle mile
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Law; Research; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00184086
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (BASt)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 13 1979 12:00AM