Laminated side glazing: implications for vehicle occupant safety

Analysis of real world data from the United Kingdom (Cooperative Crash Injury Study (CCIS)), France (Laboratory of Accidentology, Biomechanics and human behaviour (LAB)) and Germany (German Insurance Association (GDV)) indicates that the installation of laminated glazing in the side and rear windows to act as a deterrent against vehicle crime is likely to offer additional benefits. The results indicate that the incidence of occupant ejection, which frequently occurs through these glazing areas, is likely to be reduced. Consequently, the incidence of fatal and serious injury will also be reduced since ejected occupants have a higher risk of experiencing these injuries. Any increase in the incidence of occupant entrapment due to door jamming alone is not likely to be a problem. In fact, the installation of laminated glazing is likely to be beneficial. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD E206514.