Crash and injury patterns were compared among three groups of drivers injured in airbag deployed crashes: US belted, US unbelted, and Australian (belted drivers). The larger, more powerful US airbag was seen to be associated with a greater number of facial, thoracic and upper extremity injuries compared to the Australian airbag. Hence, the Australian airbag was seen to protect against injuries to the head, face and upper extremity relative to the US airbag. Belt wearing was not associated with less severe overall injury but was associated with lower percentage of injuries caused by contact with the airbag. In both the US and Australia, lighter (under 55 kg) drivers were at increased risk for all injuries and for injuries from airbag contact. Given the small sample size, strict exclusion criteria and the focus on intermediate and full size passenger cars, the findings presented in the study should be treated with a degree of caution. Despite this qualification the differences in injury patterns between the US and Australian samples presented in the paper regarding intermediate and full size passenger vehicles reveal important insights in differences in airbag aggressivity and seat-belt use and resultant injury outcomes. Hence, it is important to conduct further detailed research to ensure representativeness of injury patterns of all airbag-deployed crashes.


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    Title :

    Driver injury patterns in the United States and Australia: does beltwearing or airbag deployment make a difference?


    Additional title:

    Verletzungsmuster bei Fahrern in den USA und Australien: Gibt es einen Unterschied auf Grund des Anlegens eines Gurtes oder auf Grund von Airbag-Einsatz?


    Contributors:
    McKay, M.P. (author) / Fitzharris, M. (author) / Fildes, B. (author)


    Publication date :

    1999


    Size :

    16 Seiten, 4 Bilder, 6 Tabellen, 15 Quellen


    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




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