AIRBAG FATALIIES APPROXIMATION FOR THE PASSENGER CAR FLEET

Effects of airbags in the passenger car fleet were estimated by comparing fatality rates per registered passenger car. Fatalities, by seating position, were obtained from the 1992 Fatal Accident Reporting System data file, car registrations from the R.L. Polk National Vehicle Population Profile, and New Car Registration files. Driver, and right front-seat occupant, fatality rates in airbag-equipped and other cars were compared to estimate the effects of airbags relative to safety belts, as used in 1992. Corrections for vehicle age were made. Occupants of airbag-equipped cars had 30 to 33 percent lower fatality rates. Initially, heavier cars were equipped with airbags. Therefore, their occupant fatality rate would be lower, possibly by as much as 25 percent. Seventy-five percent of the airbag effect was in frontal impacts, the rest in side impacts; 95 percent were in nonrollover crashes.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Technical Contact: J. Guglielmi, DTS-74
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute

  2901 Baxter Road
  Ann Arbor, MI  United States  48109-2150

  Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

  Cambridge, MA  United States  02142
• Authors:
  • Joksch, H
• Publication Date: 1994-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 24 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air bags; Air cushion vehicles; Fatalities; Passenger cars; Restraint systems
• Old TRIS Terms: Air cushion
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00673987
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: UMTRI-94-25
• Contract Numbers: DRTS-57-93-C-00135
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 23 1995 12:00AM