A comparison of contacts for unrestrained and lap belted occupants in automobile accidents

This report compares the incidence and severity of contacts for lap belted and unrestrained occupants in different types of accident situations. A contact is defined as a body part striking an area of the vehicle. The situations considered are defined by the clock direction of the force on the occupant, in seated location, restraint use, and whether a rollover occurred. The comparisons indicate among other things, that lap belts reduce windshield contacts when the body is thrown forward, they reduce certain types of side contacts for the driver when he is thrown to the side, they are associated with fewer front seat back injuries in rear collisions, and fewer outside contacts in rollovers.