Aspect of occupant injury risk relating to airbags --occupant injuries caused by airbag deployment

摘要

Recently, most new passenger car models are equiped with airbags in Japan. Airbags provideeffective protection for occupants, especially in severe collisions, according to American andEuropean accident investigations. On the other hand, some negative effect of the airbags are reportedin some cases, especially in so called out-of-position cases. Injury risks to the head, face, neck,thorax and upper extremities are discussed in some papers. This report summarizes topics of recentpapers concerning airbags, and shows not only positive effects but also negative effects. The contentsof this report indicate some marked injury risks of airbag deployment.