RESTRAINT EFFECTIVENESS, AVAILABILITY AND USE IN FATAL CRASHES - IMPLICATIONS TO INJURY CONTROL

The effectiveness and benefits of occupant restraint systems are compa red by seating position in motor vehicles. While safety belts are 42% effective in preventing fatalities, the addition of the driver side ai rbag provides a 12% increase in effectiveness. The implications of saf ety belt use and airbag availability over the next decade are consider ed for fatal injury prevention. The analysis includes theoretical rela tionships and forecasts fatality prevention as lap-shoulder belt use i ncreases and airbags phase into the vehicle fleet.