Evaluation of Occupant Protection in Frontal Interior Impact for Unrestrained Front Seat Occupants of Cars and Light Trucks

摘要

The evaluation analyzes the effectiveness and benefits of instrument panel improvements in frontal crashes of cars and light trucks. It also estimates the cumulative fatality reduction - for unrestrained front seat occupants in frontal crashes - for all safety standards and vehicle improvements of the 1964-84 era. It was found that: The instrument panel improvements of the 1965-75 era reduced fatality risk and serious injury risk by nearly 25 percent for unrestrained right front passengers of cars in frontal crashes; A preliminary analysis of light trucks indicates close to 25 percent reduction of fatality risk between model years 1968 and 1976, for unrestrained right front passengers in frontal crashes.