Results of 49 cadaver tests simulating frontal collision of front seat passengers

By an acceleration track operated through a falling weight with a crash velocity of 50 km/h and a stopping distance of about 40 cm--corresponding to the crease region of many automobiles--the effect of three-point-retractor belts on 30 fresh cadavers and of two-point belts with kneebar on 19 fresh cadavers had been tested. The age of the cadavers ranged from 12-82 years. Qualitatively, almost all injuries known under the term "seat belt syndrome" could be reproduced. The dependence of the degree of injury in regard to the age was quite evident. It can be expected that persons over 40 years of age will suffer the same dangerous injuries as the tested cadavers, caused by the diagonal belts if the above mentioned crash conditions are existent.