How Have Changes in Air Bag Designs Affected Frontal Crash Mortality?

The objective of this article is to determine whether front air bag changes have affected occupant protection, frontal crash mortality rates were compared among front outboard occupants in vehicles having certified-advanced air bags (latest generation of air bags) or sled-certified air bags with and without advanced features. Poisson marginal structural models were used to calculate standardized mortality rate ratios (MRRs) for front occupants per registered vehicle. Vehicle age-corrected mortality rates were lower for drivers of vehicles having sled-certified air bags with advanced features than for drivers having sled-certified air bags without advanced features (MRR = 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81–0.95), including unbelted men and drivers younger than 60. The mortality rate was higher, though not statistically significant, for drivers having certified-advanced air bags compared with sled-certified air bags with advanced features (vehicle age–corrected MRR = 1.13; 95% CI: 0.97–1.32) and significantly higher for belted drivers (MRR = 1.21; 95% CI: 1.04–1.39). Advanced air bag features appeared protective for some occupants. However, increased mortality rates among belted drivers of vehicles having certified-advanced air bags relative to those having sled-certified air bags with advanced features suggest that further study is needed to identify any potential problems with requirements for certification.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/10472797
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
• Authors:
  • Braver, Elisa R
  • Shardell, M
  • Teoh, Eric R
• Publication Date: 2010-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Appendices; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 499-510
• Serial:
  • Annals of Epidemiology
  • Volume: 20
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: Elsevier
  • ISSN: 1047-2797
  • Serial URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/10472797

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air bags; Fatalities; Front seat occupants; Frontal crashes; Traffic crashes; Vehicle design; Vehicle safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Mortality rates
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I84: Personal Injuries; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01164972
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 16 2010 9:11AM