http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/1862533073

Seat belt injuries in impact

Although the seat belt has been demonstrated to provide effective reduction of injuries and fatalities in automobile accidents by preventing ejection, a pattern of injuries directly attributable to impingement on the belt itself is becoming evident. This paper surveys the clinical evidence of restraint system injuries, discusses gross biomechanical mechanisms of trauma, and evaluates the potential of four principal types of restraint systems in producing injuries. New results are presented comparing the lap belt, diagonal, three-point, and double torso restraint systems in experimental primate impacts utilizing the 6571st Aeromedical Research Laboratory's Daisy Decelerator. The double shoulder harness (with lap belt) appears to offer the greatest protection of the systems compared, while the single diagonal belt (without lap belt) has been demonstrated to be the most dangerous type in certain impact situations. A seat belt system properly installed and properly worn still offers the single best protection for the automotive occupant during an impact.

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