CHILDREN IN CAR CRASHES: AN IN-DEPTH STUDY OF CAR CRASHES IN WHICH CHILD OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED

An in-depth crash investigation team followed up 131 crashes involving 247 children aged 14 or under as passengers. The research question was whether overall system efficiency could be improved by detecting deficiencies in the effectiveness of individual restraints, and identifying ways to counter them. The sample was composed of three groups: children attending emergency departments (whether injured or not), fatally injured children from anywhere in the state, and children riding in cars in which any adults were killed. Data were obtained from examination of crashed vehicles, interviews with parents and drivers, police data, and hospital records. It was concluded that the main sources of injury for restrained children were intrusion of the car's structure, contacts with the car's interiors, and invasion of the child's space by flying glass and seat-back collapse. Most injuries were minor, to the head and face. Many restrained children survived very high-speed crashes without injury to the neck or other parts, with deceleration injuries confined to bruising from belt loadings. Misuse, although uncommon, was responsible for some serious injuries. The main objective for restraint design continues to be protection of the head and face. (a) Sponsored by Motor Accidents Authority NSW.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0949630314
• Corporate Authors:

  CHILD ACCIDENT PREVENTION FOUNDATION. NEW SOUTH WALES DIVISION

  111 GEORGE STREET
  PARRAMATTA, NEW SOUTH WALES  Australia  2150
• Authors:
  • Henderson, M
• Publication Date: 1994-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 118 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Biophysics; Children; Crash severity; Crashes; Design; Injuries; Injury severity; Manual safety belts; Prevention; Restraint systems
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ITRD Terms: 1643: Accident; 8006: Australia; 2060: Biomechanics; 1243: Car; 1758: Child; 9011: Design (overall design); 2163: Injury; 1466: Passive safety system; 9149: Prevention; 1476: Safety belt; 1623: Severity (accid, injury)
• Subject Areas: Design; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00674960
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• ISBN: 0-949630-31-4
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 28 1995 12:00AM